New Survey Shows Only 9% of Young South Sudanese Students Can Read

(JUBA)-A 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) released on Tuesday has revealed that just 9 percent of children in grades 2 and 3 can read up to 90 percent of the words in a simple story.

The nationwide survey, conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in partnership with UNICEF and other development partners, sampled 12,000 households and provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of the situation of children and women in the country.

While access to education remains a challenge, with only 42 percent of children enrolled in primary school, the findings show that even those in school are struggling to acquire basic skills. Just 11 percent of children demonstrate basic numeracy skills, suggesting widespread gaps in foundational learning.

The report also highlights a sharp drop in participation as children move through high education system. It sgates that enrollment falls to just 6 percent at secondary level, while only 15 percent of those who start primary school complete it.

Early childhood education remains limited, with only 12 percent of children aged 3 to 4 enrolled in pre-primary programs.

In addition, only 13 percent of children aged 2 to 4 engage in learning activities with an adult at home, leaving many without early learning support needed for school readiness.

The survey points to deep inequalities in access. Children from wealthier households are 3.7 times more likely to attend primary school and 7.5 times more likely to enroll in secondary education compared to those from poorer families.

It further notes that child marriage and early motherhood continue to undermine girls’ education. About 43 percent of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18, while 28 percent gave birth before reaching adulthood.

Although the report records modest improvements in areas such as maternal health and child protection, it stresses that education remains one of the most urgent sectors in need of intervention.

The findings call for stronger investment in schools, teacher training, and learning materials, alongside targeted measures to keep children, especially girls, in school.

The MICS 2025 results are expected to guide future government policy and development planning, with education emerging as a key priority in rebuilding South Sudan’s human capital after years of conflict and economic hardship.