The Central Equatoria State Ministry of General Education and Instruction has suspended two schools in Juba over alleged violations of education standards, poor sanitation and the unjustified exclusion of learners from classes.
According to a suspension order seen by Eye Radio, Juba Integrated High School, Kadoro Branch, and Gumbo Christian Nursery, Primary and Secondary School will remain closed until further notice.
Speaking to Eye Radio on Monday, Caretaker Minister of General Education and Instruction, Lupai Satimon Andrew, said Juba Integrated High School was suspended for failing to meet the minimum operating requirements for private schools and preventing learners from attending classes without lawful justification.
The minister said an incident involving a Senior Four student prompted his visit to the school in Rajaf Payam.
He said the student had allegedly been sent home over a requirement to provide a ream of paper, but the school subsequently demanded cash instead.
“One information that a student of Senior Four was sent home because of a ream of paper. When the parents tried to just give that ream of paper, the student was told that the ream of paper should be paid in cash,” Lupai said.
He added that the incident raised concerns about how the school was enforcing its requirements and prompted an unannounced inspection of other schools in the area.
According to the suspension order, Gumbo Christian Nursery, Primary and Secondary School was cited for poor waste management, inadequate sanitation facilities and the alleged use of classrooms for purposes other than teaching and learning.
Lupai said ministry officials also found a classroom in Rajaf East measuring approximately 2.5 metres by two metres, accommodating 25 pupils.
He described the conditions as contrary to the ministry’s education standards.
The minister said the suspensions followed inspections that identified non-compliance with applicable education laws, regulations, standards and directives.
“We suspended this school until they come and resolve the matter together,” he said, adding that the ministry had inspected several other schools in the area.
Lupai said the suspended institutions would not be allowed to resume operations until the ministry verifies their compliance with the required standards and issues written authorization for reopening.
He urged parents to take an active role in their children’s education by ensuring they attend schools that meet the required standards.
The ministry has not announced when the two schools may reopen.
The post Central Equatoria suspends two schools over alleged violations first appeared on Eye Radio.
The post Central Equatoria suspends two schools over alleged violations appeared first on Eye Radio.