By Matik Kueth
The Ministries of Higher Education, Science and Technology, and General Education and Instruction, in collaboration with UNESCO, held a two-day multi-stakeholder dialogue to enhance access to higher education for South Sudan’s displaced populations in Juba on Tuesday.
The dialogue brought together senior government officials, representatives from public and private universities, as well as development and humanitarian partners, to address challenges of higher education for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and returnees.
Prof. Adil Anthonasio, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, acknowledged the growing demand for university education among displaced and returning youth, warning that limited funding and infrastructure remain major obstacles.
He stressed the need to assist displaced learners in ensuring equity and maintaining national and regional recognition for South Sudan’s higher education system.
“The challenge is not the absence of students or lecturers. The real limitation is finance and infrastructure. We have vacancies, we have qualified staff, but without sustained support, we risk denying a generation the education they deserve,” Anthonasio said.
Kachuol Mabil, Undersecretary of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, underlined the underlying causes of displacement and the government’s efforts to respond despite limited resources, calling for inclusive and regional solutions.
“Education is a universal right. Whether you are a refugee, internally displaced, or a returnee, you deserve access. But we must also address the drivers of displacement, conflict, climate shocks, and economic hardship, if we are to find lasting solutions,” he stated.
Yayoi Segi-Vtchek, UNESCO’s Country Representative to South Sudan, emphasized the importance of higher education in promoting peace and long-term development.
“Higher education is not a luxury. It is a right and a necessity. Without systems to recognize prior learning and certify qualifications, we risk losing a generation whose skills are essential for peace, state-building, and development,” she stressed.
South Sudan remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian and displacement situations, with an estimated four million people affected, putting significant strain on state systems, including education.
While basic education is frequently prioritized, higher education is largely disregarded, despite its role in developing skilled human capital and long-term growth.
Recent efforts, such as provisional admissions, enabled over 1,000 displaced and returning students to enroll in universities, but gaps in recognizing prior learning and verifying qualifications continue to impede their ability to complete their education and find jobs.