(YEI, CENTRAL EQUATORIA STATE) – Yei Teachers Training College has marked its 25th anniversary with a Jubilee celebration attended by senior government representatives from the national, state and county levels, alongside parents, church leaders and other invited guests.
The event, held on 1st October 2026, commemorated what organisers described as 25 years of resilience and excellence in teacher education in South Sudan.
Dr Paul Pitia Yugusuk commended parents, dignitaries and other participants for joining the institution in marking the milestone.
Paul Yuani Bonju, chairman of the organising committee for the YTTC 25th Jubilee celebration, welcomed the invited guests and thanked them for attending the event.
Mr Bonju also recognised the Evangelical Church of South Sudan and the YTTC administration for their roles in organising the celebration. He described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s contribution to education and teacher training in South Sudan.
The Principal of YTTC, Dr James Kepo, welcomed participants to the ceremony and thanked the guests for joining the institution in marking the 25 year milestone.
A Legacy of Teacher Training Since 2001
Yei Teacher Training College was founded in 2001 to improve the quality of primary school teaching in South Sudan by offering comprehensive pre service and in service training courses. The college is a non governmental, non profit institution legally owned by the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan Diocese of Yei.
Since its inception, the college has trained over 5,000 teachers and education leaders from all over the country and beyond, according to the institution’s profile. It brings together students from all ten states of South Sudan as well as the Nuba Mountains.
The college is affiliated to the University of Juba, South Sudan. Until 2015, it was affiliated to Kyambogo University, Uganda. From 2016, YTTC became fully affiliated to the University of Juba, with all students examined and awarded certificates and diplomas by the University of Juba.
The college has faced significant challenges over its 25 year history. According to the One Citizen Daily Newspaper in June 2026, the college registered more than 200 students despite setbacks caused by the 2016 conflict and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted operations.
Dr Kepo also highlighted infrastructure challenges facing the college, particularly the absence of a perimeter fence. He said the situation allows unauthorised individuals to enter the compound and interfere with college activities.
In a previous address, Dr Kepo spoke about the critical shortage of qualified teachers in South Sudan. He warned that hundreds of thousands of children are going through an education system that does not provide even the basic foundational skills because of the poor quality of teaching, according to Africa Press Arabic in November 2025.
He stated that untrained teachers, who often lack the necessary skills, can end up damaging the minds of children.
Recognition and Academic Excellence
YTTC has received recognition for its academic standards. The college was ranked the best in the 2015 final regional examinations, emerging top among 54 Teacher Training Colleges affiliated to Kyambogo University, Uganda.
In an organisational capacity assessment by Stromme Foundation in 2015, YTTC was the fifth best out of the 23 partners assessed in East Africa and the best in South Sudan.
An analysis of the 2015 graduate cohort showed that 88.5% were employed as teachers and 27.5% had reached leadership positions immediately.
The college has grown from a small institution to a regional centre for teacher training. It has modern facilities including science and ICT laboratories, a well stocked library, and a modern sports ground.
The college offers a two year residential course where students graduate with a Primary School Teacher Certificate. In addition, YTTC provides in service training for working teachers and continuous professional development courses for headteachers, school inspectors and other education professionals.
Dr Kepo, who has served at YTTC since 2005 in roles including teacher, dean of students, director of studies and head of department, is an Education Development Specialist with over 20 years of experience working in education and leadership management across East Africa.
The Jubilee brought together members of the YTTC community, government representatives, parents, church leaders and other stakeholders to commemorate the institution’s history and contribution to teacher education in South Sudan.
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