By Ginaba Lino
The National Ministry of General Education and Instruction has announced the re-opening of schools after a temporary closure of one week to observe the heat wave across the country.
According to the press statement seen by Catholic Radio Network, all the schools will reopen on 2nd April 2024, with some measures put in place during class sessions.
The government has warned schools to minimize allowing students to do sports activities unless early in the morning.
It suggests indoors, ventilating classrooms, providing water for learners during school time, monitoring children especially the young ones for signs of heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, and alert medics in case of such cases.
“We are delighted to inform the public that the government has decided to re-open schools from Tuesday 2 April 2024, however, because of the unpredictability in the climate, we caution teachers in schools to adhere to the following measures which the ministry has put in place.”
The National Minister of General Education and Instruction Awut Deng Acuil directed the state authorities to implement the actions outlined in the statement.
Hon. Awut warned any school that contravenes those measures will be de-registered.
“We at this moment direct state authorities to implement the actions outlined in the press statement. A school that will contravene these measures will be de-registered.”
She states that her ministry in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Environment and Forestry will continue to observe the weather situation and advise accordingly.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry monitors daily temperature across South Sudan and now has revealed a steady dropping in the heatwaves.
The forecast suggests a lessening of heat waves and the start of the rainy season expected in the subsequent weeks.
Last week Friday 15th March 2024, the Ministry of General Education ordered the closure of all schools in South Sudan, as it prepares for a heatwave in which temperatures could reach an exceptional 45C (113F).
Authorities said by then children should stay indoors and that the extreme weather could last at least two weeks.