Basic Facts
What country has the highest proportion of children not in school in the world?
South Sudan
Name two barriers to education in South Sudan
Violence, poverty, political instability, transportation, funding, lack of teachers (properly qualified, English-speaking), child marriage
What is the most prominent barrier to access to education for young girls?
Child marriage
Which demographic does USAID especially focus on helping?
Young girls
Which of the Sustainable Development Goals is education?
Goal #4
What % of children complete primary education in South Sudan?
10%
How many school buildings were destroyed in South Sudan's civil war?
True or false: a girl in South Sudan is more likely to die during childbirth than to finish her primary education
True
How much aid does USAID provide to South Sudan, starting in 2001?
$11 million
When was the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed?
2005
What is the student to teacher ratio for a normal classroom in South Sudan?
300:1
What fields have the most severe shortage of English-speaking teachers?
Science/technical fields
What is the effect of having mostly male teachers on female students?
What skills does USAID focus on teaching?
Basic literacy and calculations
Why is education beneficial for development?
It will help break the cycles of poverty and violence
How much did children's enrollment increase between 2005 and 2010 as a result of help from USAID?
48% (20% in 2005 to 68% in 2010)
Why do rural students face further inequality in the education system?
All schools are in big towns and transportation costs are high
Why is it particularly difficult to overcome the barrier of child marriage?
It is an extremely prominent cultural norm, which makes it harder to eliminate because it is deeply embedded in South Sudanese society (cultural violence)
What are three ways in which USAID increases access to education in South Sudan?
Cash stipends/donations, mentoring, community dialogues
Why does USAID focus its aid in stable areas (those without conflict)?
To prepare to build peace (peacebuilding, longer lasting peace/harmony)
What is South Sudan's ranking compared to other countries in terms of literacy rates?
Third-lowest in the world
How do political elites in South Sudan worsen inequality in education?
Because they send their children to foreign schools, there is no incentive for them to invest in public education (system for all other people)
What is the term for learning materials that purposefully include female examples and what is their purpose?
Gender-responsive learning materials, which are meant to increase engagement with young girls and help them feel represented
What is the importance of USAID's reproductive health education campaign?
Information about reproductive health is not shared/taught in South Sudan, which harms the health of millions. This is especially applicable in South Sudan because of the high rate of child marriages.
What primary impact does conflict have on children's education?
Children join armed groups and militias. They are also more likely to become involved in criminal activities and do not prioritize their education.