Paloch Primary School in Rumbek East, Lakes State, still functions under trees and locals are calling on the government of South Sudan to build the school.
Conditions in Paloch primary are difficult and only primary six and seven classes are conducted in a grass thatched hut standing on poles. The other classes are done under big mango trees.Luke Payom, a 25 year-old pupil in primary six, told SCR News that the school has no feeding and four teachers.
He added that he came to the school to learn how to help his people.
Barnaba Bol Makur, a father of five, said it is very expensive to keep children in school.
He explained that parents do not have enough money to pay for school uniforms and fees and meet health expenses.
The quality of teaching in Paloch Payam is also a problem. Teachers have not been trained and were approved by the community because they can speak some English.
George Lueth, acting head teacher of Paloch, complained that the government has not given enough support since the community established the school in 2006.
The acting commissioner of Rumbek East, Kuerich Achinbai, said 90 percent of the schools in the area have the same problems of Paloch.
He blamed the state government for not allocating enough money for schools.
Efforts to reach the state minister of education for a comment were not successful; however the governor of Lakes State Chol Tong Mayay said the state is revising its education policies.