Collaborative and Empowered: Supporting Teachers in Crisis Contexts in South Sudan

Introduction

The project, supported by the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA) Facility, focuses on addressing teacher shortages, high attrition, and inadequate professional development. It is implemented in Awerial, Wulu, and Rumbek East counties of Lakes State.

South Sudan’s education system faces challenges exacerbated by crises such as conflicts and climate-related disasters. These issues disrupt learning, displace teachers, and deepen systemic weaknesses. The education sector in South Sudan is marked by inadequate infrastructure, unqualified teachers, lack of gender responsiveness, including a lack of female teachers and poor attrition/retention rates.

The project aims to strengthen teacher management, professional development, and governance while promoting gender equity. Building on the successful EU-funded BRiCE programme, the initiative aligns with South Sudan’s National Teacher Education Policy and targets improved learning outcomes for over 9 400 learners directly and 60 000 indirectly.

Objectives

• Overall Objective: Strengthen the educational framework in crisis-affected counties of Lakes State by reinforcing teacher management, professional development, and well-being.
• Address teacher shortages and attrition through improved onboarding, management, and career pathways, especially for female teachers.
• Improve professional development and well-being through strong CPD  systems, peer learning.

Project activities

• Strengthened Tutor & CPD Systems: Tutors are equipped to support teachers via training, mentoring, and policy-aligned resources.
• Improved Teacher Management & Retention: Clear onboarding and career pathways, especially for women, to reduce attrition.
• Enhanced Well-being & Peer Support: Teachers engage in regular TLCs , receive mentorships, and benefit from psychosocial support.
• Greater Teacher Voice in Policy: Teachers influence education policy through documented engagement, reflection sessions, and union involvement.

(Expected) results

• Strengthened Tutor & CPD Systems: Tutors are equipped to support teachers via training, mentoring, and policy-aligned resources.
• Improved Teacher Management & Retention: Clear onboarding and career pathways, especially for women, to reduce attrition.
• Enhanced Well-being & Peer Support: Teachers engage in regular TLCs , receive mentorships, and benefit from psychosocial support.
• Greater Teacher Voice in Policy: Teachers influence education policy through documented engagement, reflection sessions, and union involvement.

Key info

• Project Duration: 24 months
• Location: South Sudan - Lakes State (Awerial, Wulu and Rumbek East)
• Implementing Partners: Expertise France, OXFAM DENMARK, Disabled Agency for Rehabilitation and Development (DARD), Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF)