UN General Assembly
2023

Given that education is the key that will allow us to achieve other SDGs rapidly. I am pleased to report that South Sudan has made some progress in its education sector since gaining our independence in 2011. Our Constitution, for example, guarantees all children free access to education. We have also designated education as a human right of every child. In February. I directed the Ministry of Education to implement a free primary and secondary education policy across the country. The policy has directly led to the enrolment of 2.3 million children in our schools. To ensure that girls stay in schools, we have banned child marriages through an act of Parliament. More important, we have increased the education budget with the goal of paying teachers a living wage. In the health sector, we plan to dedicate resources towards providing affordable and standard heath care. That will be done through a primary health care approach that is inclusive and cost effective.