November 10, 2025

WUSC Announces Major New Education Programming in South Sudan

In South Sudan, millions of girls face significant challenges to accessing education. Financial hardship, forced marriage, and the ongoing effects of violence and conflict mean that many never have the chance to enter a classroom. Only one in ten girls in South Sudan successfully completes primary school, and even fewer make it to secondary education.

Building on the success of our previous education programming in South Sudan, which supported girls’ education and empowerment, we have seen firsthand the transformative impact that access to quality education can have on girls, their families, and their communities. The lessons learned and the progress achieved through that initiative have laid a strong foundation for the next phase of our work.

That’s why we are proud to announce the launch of Strengthening Collaborative Action and Learning for Education (SCALE) in South Sudan, generously supported by Global Affairs Canada. This 5-year initiative is designed not just to open classroom doors, but to build a new path forward for the next generation of young women.

Why SCALE matters

The challenges girls face in accessing education in South Sudan are intensified by widespread population movement and displacement. Many learners have endured long interruptions to their schooling, the trauma of conflict, or separation from their families. Among those crossing South Sudan’s borders are thousands of refugee returnees, individuals who are returning home to rebuild their lives after seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Their arrival adds pressure to an already fragile education system, yet it also represents a powerful sign of hope; a belief in a future marked by stability, security, and the possibility of lasting change.

SCALE comes as a direct response to these pressures. Operating in Yei, Kajo Keji, and Magwi counties, where numbers of refugee returns are among the highest in the country, SCALE will address both the increased demand on schools and the unique needs of returnee learners, supporting their reintegration while strengthening education opportunities for all.

Coming together for girls’ education

SCALE was officially launched in South Sudan at events held in Yei, Kajo Keji, and Magwi attended by government representatives, religious and community leaders, educators, parents, and girls themselves. These gatherings mark a powerful moment of shared commitment to the thousands of girls and young women in South Sudan. This collective energy now drives the next phase of our work, translating commitment into action through SCALE’s integrated approach to transforming education.

Voices from SCALE

“As we launch this project, let us remember that every year on October 11, the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child. This project enhances the empowerment of adolescent girls and female youth, in line with the world’s focus on supporting the girl child.” County Education Director, Yei

“The project came timely. Out of 50 primary schools and 4 secondary schools in Kajo-Keji, we have 4,816 boys and 4,629 girls in classrooms, moving neck to neck, side by side. WUSC and the Government of Canada are supporting the right program here.” Commissioner, Kajo-Keji

“The adolescent period is challenging for girls. There are no counseling spaces, so girls often drop out. Even with limited facilities, female teachers are crucial for guidance and training.Heavy work at home limits our study time. We fetch water, cook, and then try to revise our books when we are tired. This project gives us hope.” Female Student – Comboni Secondary, Kajo-Keji

Our approach

Over the next five years, SCALE will transform education through multiple integrated pillars of change:

Supporting girls to feel empowered:

We will strengthen the content and delivery of life skills and sex education, enabling girls to be in control of their sexual and reproductive health and other important life choices.

We will also provide second-chance learning opportunities to help out-of-school children return to education.

Strengthening learning environments:

We are expanding teacher professional development through mentoring, coaching and peer networks.

We are strengthening school safeguarding mechanisms to ensure safe and supportive learning environments for every learner.

Driving change together:

We are partnering with community groups to drive grassroots initiatives supporting girls’ education and empowerment.

We are supporting the Ministry of Education in developing inclusive and equitable education policies.

We are facilitating regional and national knowledge sharing on what works better to advance girls’ education.

Our partners in change

We believe that co-design and collaboration are vital to achieve meaningful and lasting change. Our work, therefore, is only possible through strong partnerships with communities, schools, government, and organizations committed to ensuring every girl in South Sudan has the chance to learn. We are excited to be jointly delivering SCALE in partnership with: Women for Change, a women-led organization working to advance the rights of women and girls in South Sudan; Yei Teacher Training College, one of the leading teacher education institutions in South Sudan; and South Sudan’s Ministry of General Education and Instruction, supporting them to achieve their mission for driving quality education for all.