UNMISS Hands Over New Classrooms in Yei River County (PHOTOS)

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Commissioner of Yei River County has witnessed the handover of three newly built classrooms at Yei Day Secondary School, a project funded by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and implemented by a local organisation.

The classrooms were constructed through support from UNMISS and carried out by the Support for Peace and Education Development Programme, also known as SPEDP. The project aims to respond to the growing number of students enrolling at the school, including many learners returning from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Local authorities said the new classrooms will help address long standing shortages in education infrastructure in Yei River County, an area that has been affected by years of conflict and displacement. Schools in the county have struggled to cope with increased enrolment as families return to the area.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, praised UNMISS for its continued support to local communities. He called on other development partners to increase their assistance, particularly in education, health and other key sectors that directly affect the lives of residents.

He said improved school facilities are essential for rebuilding communities and supporting young people, adding that access to quality education remains a priority for the county administration.

The UNMISS Team Leader and Civil Affairs Officer in Yei, James Mugwo Murrithi, said the project was made possible through cooperation between the county government and UNMISS. He explained that the classrooms were built under the Quick Impact Projects scheme, which focuses on small scale and low cost initiatives.

According to Mr Murrithi, these projects are designed to create visible improvements for communities, strengthen trust between local authorities and residents, and support wider peace building efforts across South Sudan.

The Director of Education in Yei, Reverend Taban Philip, described Yei Day Secondary School as the first and oldest secondary school in the area, having been established in 1983. He said the school has played a key role in educating generations of students from Yei and surrounding areas.

He welcomed the addition of the three classrooms, noting that overcrowding has been a major challenge at the school. He said the new facilities will help reduce congestion in classrooms and create a better learning environment for students and teachers.

The handover of the classrooms comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face serious challenges in the education sector, including damaged infrastructure, limited resources and a shortage of trained teachers. Local officials expressed hope that similar projects will be extended to other schools in Yei River County and beyond.

 Overview of the Project

Officials said improved education facilities are critical for long term stability and development in South Sudan, as communities work to recover from years of conflict and displacement.