Raising Female Role Models: Reshaping Education in South Sudan through Female Teacher Training

Written By Guest User

The under representation of women in the teaching profession and the overall gender disparity in education in South Sudan is an alarming issue in South Sudan’s teaching profession. Without female teachers students lack female role models in schools, diversity of perspectives is limited, and girls are often unable to see the value of educating themselves. Windle Trust International’s Female Teacher Training Scholarship Programme is an excellent example of how organisations can support the education of girls and women in developing countries. By providing scholarships, tuition fees, and other support, WTI makes it possible for female students to access quality education and become qualified teachers. This will not only benefit the lives of the teachers but also the lives of their students and communities, inspiring young girls to pursue their dreams, improving women’s literacy rates in South Sudan, breaking gender barriers, and empowering girls to become leaders in their own right.

Why does South Sudan need more female teachers? 

The education of girls and women is crucial to achieving gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development in any country. In many developing countries, including South Sudan, there is a significant gender disparity among qualified teaching professionals which negatively impacts the education of girls. According to the latest data collected by the World Bank, South Sudan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world with only 35% of adults being literate. The literacy rate for women is even lower. In addition, the current percentage of female teachers in South Sudan is just 18%, highlighting a significant gender gap that requires immediate attention. The under representation of women in the teaching profession at all levels of education is a cause for concern, as it compounds one-sided viewpoints and limits the variety of role models available to students. Addressing this issue is essential for creating a more equitable and inclusive education system that provides equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender. Boosting female representation in the South Sudan education system is vital for South Sudan’s development. 

Female teachers are role models for young female learners and are a vital asset in the struggle to support girls’ enrolment, retention and graduation at all levels of education in South Sudan. Both male and female teachers here are training in communicative pedagogy for English language teaching.

Windle Trust International's Female Teacher Training Scholarship Programme 

To address this issue, Windle Trust International plays a vital role in reducing the gender gap by training and supporting female teachers. WTI's Female Teacher Training Scholarship Programme is one of the ways the organisation is supporting the Ministry of Education's strategy to address this issue. In 2021, All Saints Educational Trust (ASET), the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust, and individual donors began supporting WTI to train female teachers to become role models and mentors for young girls in South Sudan.

The Female Teacher Training Scholarship Programme is designed to provide comprehensive support to its beneficiaries, covering not only full tuition fees and stationery, but also essential needs such as accommodation, meals, transportation, and allowances. The six students at Solidarity Teacher Training College are provided with everything they need for training and living, including accommodation and three meals per day, while the 16 students at St. Mary's University College receive funds for transportation and some allowances, ensuring that they have all the necessary resources to complete their training and achieve their educational goals.

WTI monitors the students through regular visits to the two institutions to support academic performance and attendance. Reports from the monitoring visits indicate that the current 22 female students are performing well in their academic disciplines on both the Certificate and Diploma courses. WTI also provides additional support to the students, such as pastoral care, safeguarding training, and technology donations, to ensure high success rates across programmes. This has included safeguarding training to all 22 female teacher trainees, focusing on power abuses, sexual, physical, and financial abuse as well as donating refurbished laptops to the 16 students at St. Mary's University.

The impact of female role models in education 

Research has shown that female role models in education have a positive impact on the aspirations and academic achievements of girls. Girls who have female role models in education are more likely to enrol in school, stay in school longer, and perform better academically. According to the World Bank, a girl who completes secondary education is less likely to marry as a child, more likely to have healthy and educated children, and more likely to earn a higher income. Furthermore, educated women tend to invest more in their families and communities, contributing to the overall economic and social development of their country. All of these results can be brought about by improving gender parity in the South Sudanese teaching profession.

Investing in the education of girls and women is not only important for individual empowerment, but it is also crucial for the overall development of a country. Sustainable development through women’s education can support South Sudan’s overall development. Studies have shown that increasing women's education and participation in the labour force can lead to higher economic growth rates and lower poverty levels. Despite the clear benefits of educating girls and women, there are still significant barriers that prevent them from accessing education in many parts of the world. In South Sudan, for example, poverty, early marriage, and conflict have all contributed to a gender gap in education. As of 2023, the literacy rate for women in South Sudan was only 28.86 percent, compared to 40.26 percent for men.

Initiatives like WTI's Female Teacher Training Scholarship Programme are crucial in addressing this gender gap and empowering girls and women in South Sudan. By providing female teachers with the training and support they need to succeed, WTI is not only improving the quality of education but also creating positive role models and mentors for young girls. In addition to WTI's programme, there are other initiatives that can help to promote gender equality in education, such as increasing access to schools, improving the quality of education, and providing safe and inclusive learning environments. Governments and organisations around the world must work together to ensure that girls and women have equal opportunities to access education and succeed in their chosen field. 

  • Emerging from South Sudan, a story of resilience and determination unfolds - the story of Achan. As one of the 22 deserving recipients of the Windle Trust International scholarship, she is a testament to the strength of women.

    Balancing her role as a wife and mother of two, Achan harbored an unwavering determination to continue her education and fulfill her aspiration of becoming a teacher. Despite their own lack of formal education, her parents acknowledged the importance of her ambition, supporting her until she married.

    With steadfastness, Achan persuaded her husband to support her pursuit of a Certificate in Secondary Education in Uganda before returning to South Sudan as his loving wife.

    In 2021, Achan's path was lit by an opportunity presented by Windle Trust International. Their call for young women to rise as teachers resonated with her dream. With her husband's backing, she embraced this opportunity with open arms.

    Achan is deeply thankful for the chance to advance her education, appreciating Windle Trust International and their donors for championing the cause of female education in South Sudan. Looking forward, she is confident in her journey towards a Bachelor's and Master's degree in education. She is an embodiment of the power of dreams and the difference they can make when pursued with relentless resolve.

Achan (named changed) is a recipient of the WTI Female Teacher Training Scholarship

Investing in the education of girls and women is crucial for achieving gender equality, economic development, and sustainable growth. WTI's Female Teacher Training Scholarship Programme is an example of how organisations can support girls' education and create a positive impact on communities. By empowering female teachers, we can inspire the next generation of female leaders, break down gender barriers, and contribute to a more equal and just society. 

 

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Article by Clara Myle - Based in our Oxford office, Clara supports our Postgraduate students whilst simultaneously studying for an MA in International Affairs at King’s College London. She has previously held roles with the UN, Pepperminds, and has also conducted research with the Belgian Armed Forces.

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