Chinese Battalion Supports Jigomoni Primary School With Learning Materials

(YEI RIVER COUNTY)— The Chinese Battalion serving in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has provided learning materials and footballs to Jigomoni Nursery and Primary School in Yei River County to help learners access basic educational resources.

The donation was handed over to the school during a ceremony attended by local government, education and security officials. County officials welcomed the support, stating that it will improve learning conditions for more than 1,400 pupils.

Speaking during the handover on Wednesday, Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo said the assistance demonstrated the importance of cooperation between UNMISS and local communities.

“We appreciate the support from UNMISS, and we continue to call for cooperation in other areas that are important to the people of Yei,” Malimbo said.

The commissioner also appealed for additional assistance to address some of the school’s most pressing needs, including the construction of a perimeter fence, installation of a water facility and provision of computers.

He said such investments would complement the provision of learning materials by creating a safer and better-equipped environment for pupils and teachers.

For Jigomoni Nursery and Primary School, the donation comes at a time when the institution continues to serve a large number of children despite limited infrastructure and resources.

County Director of Education Philip Taban thanked the Chinese Battalion for selecting Jigomoni for the support, describing it as one of Yei’s historic schools.

The school was established in 1960 and has served generations of children in the area, Taban said.

But decades of service have not shielded the school from challenges. Taban said the lack of a perimeter fence has left school property vulnerable to theft and appealed to development partners and other stakeholders to help secure the institution.

“A fence would help protect the school and its facilities and create a safer environment for both learners and teachers,” he said.

The school’s headteacher, Taban David Eluzai, also welcomed the donation. He said the learning materials would help ease some of the difficulties pupils face and support classroom activities.

He said the school currently has more than 1,400 learners but has only 13 government teachers. He said the lack of teachers is putting pressure on the institution as it tries to educate a growing number of children.

The Chinese Battalion representative, Col. Dou, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the handover alongside local authorities and school representatives.

The donation of scholastic materials and footballs also adds a recreational component to the support, giving pupils resources for both classroom learning and physical activities.

The handover was witnessed by Police Inspector Major General Lujang Kamba and other officials, including the county commissioner, county security adviser, director of education and the SPLM secretary for Yei River County.