South Sudan has launched a landmark education initiative aimed at protecting over 200,000 schoolchildren from the escalating effects of climate change, including floods, droughts, and extreme heat that continue to disrupt learning across the country.
Speaking during the launch in Juba, Vice President Josephine Lagu described the project as “a promise to the children of South Sudan”, underscoring that education must remain uninterrupted even in times of crisis.
“This initiative is not just about building schools, but building hope and resilience for our children,” Lagu said.
Education Minister Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok reaffirmed the government’s commitment to keeping classrooms open, safe, and adaptable in the face of worsening climate shocks.
“We must ensure every child, no matter the climate challenge they face, enjoys access to quality education,” Dr. Kuyok stated.
Through BRACE, hundreds of schools will be retrofitted with solar energy, rainwater harvesting systems, ventilated classrooms, and improved sanitation facilities creating safer and more sustainable learning environments for children.
Beyond physical structures, the project also seeks to integrate climate education into the national curriculum, equipping learners with knowledge and practical skills to understand and respond to the impacts of climate change in their communities.
Save the Children Country Director Chris Nyamandi emphasized that the programme will help protect the right to education for children most affected by floods and displacement.
“The climate crisis is threatening every child’s right to a quality education. Through BRACE, we are helping children learn, adapt, and lead in a changing climate,” Nyamandi said.
South Sudan ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, with over one million people affected by recurrent flooding in recent years. The BRACE project is expected to provide a blueprint for how education systems can survive and even thrive amidst climate uncertainty.
Officials and partners expressed optimism that the initiative will build stronger, climate-smart schools that can endure future disasters while giving South Sudanese children the opportunity to continue learning safely and confidently.
The Building the Climate Resilience of Children and Communities through the Education Sector (BRACE) project valued at US$17 million, is jointly funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and implemented by Save the Children, UNESCO, and the Ministry of General Education and Instruction.
