TORIT (Gurtong) – In a statement dated September 19, 2017, obtained by Gurtong, the USAID confirmed

that it supported scholarships for these South Sudanese leaders in the field of education through a partnership with Indiana University and the Gender Equity and Women Leadership Program at the University of Juba.
The Masters in Education Project builds on the successes of a prior project, the South Sudan Higher Education Initiative for Equity and Leadership Development. That project sponsored 14 South Sudanese women from ethnically diverse backgrounds to complete a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on conflict transformation at Indiana University in 2015.
Those 14 graduates have been working in the education sector in South Sudan, promoting peace building and social cohesion in a society fractured by the on-going conflict.
The Master’s in Education Project strengthens South Sudan’s overall education sector, giving opportunities to scholars from diverse ethnic backgrounds and empowering students, including women from underrepresented ethnic groups.
“The U.S Government is proud to have sponsored a total of 34 graduate students with scholarships for higher studies in education focused on conflict transformation and education in emergencies. These scholars geared their studies to address challenges in the education sector amid conflict in South Sudan. We know their contributions will be extremely valuable in helping to guide the education sector, which is critical to South Sudan’s future,” said U.S Chargé d'Affaires Michael K. Morrow.
This cadre of 34 post-graduate scholars represents a major achievement for South Sudan, which has one of the world’s lowest literacy rates, only 27 percent, with just 16 percent for women and 40 percent for men. These graduates will be leaders and role models in their communities.