Empowering Educators: Celebrating Graduates of the Two-Year Literacy Program at Maridi National Teachers Training Institute

• Jul 31, 2025

Maridi, Western Equatoria State, South Sudan – July 31, 2025

In a significant milestone for South Sudan’s education sector, a new cohort of 207 dedicated teachers has graduated from the two-year Literacy Program at the Maridi National Teachers Training Institute (NTTI) in Western Equatoria State with Certificates and Diplomas in teacher education. This accomplishment marks not only their personal triumph but also a vital step forward in the country’s journey toward improving foundational literacy and fostering a culture of learning.

The graduating class, composed of men and women from diverse communities, successfully completed rigorous training designed to enhance their pedagogical skills, literacy teaching methodologies, and classroom management techniques. The program, spearheaded by the National Ministry of General Education and Instruction with support from Finn Church Aid, aims to equip teachers with the practical tools necessary to address the critical challenges of literacy education in South Sudan’s primary schools.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, the Principal of Maridi NTTI praised the graduates’ resilience and commitment to their professional development. “You have chosen a noble path,” he said, “by dedicating yourselves to the task of shaping young minds and empowering future generations through literacy. Your role is pivotal in transforming the learning outcomes of our children, especially in underserved and rural areas.”

Throughout the two-year course, trainees engaged in both theoretical and hands-on learning experiences, including teaching practicums in local schools. The curriculum emphasized child-centered learning approaches, effective reading and writing instruction, as well as inclusive education strategies to support learners with diverse needs.

Graduates are now poised to return to their communities as qualified literacy teachers, armed with enhanced competencies to foster reading and writing skills among early-grade learners. Their contribution is expected to directly impact South Sudan’s efforts to reduce illiteracy rates, promote lifelong learning, and bridge the gap in educational quality across regions.

In his keynote address, Hon. Martin Tako Mayi, Deputy Minister of General Education and Instruction, emphasized the importance of continuous professional development for teachers, urging the graduates to serve as ambassadors of change in their respective schools. “You are not only teachers but also agents of community transformation,” he said. “Through your dedication, we can build a literate society where every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed.”

As these graduates embark on their teaching careers, they carry with them the hopes of their communities and the responsibility of nurturing South Sudan’s next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators. Their journey is a testament to the power of education in rebuilding and strengthening a nation.