Learning Through Play: MOGEI Validates Play Smart Materials to Make Classroom Learning Engaging

• Oct 21, 2026
• Awut Deng Jr.

Juba, 16th October 2026 - The Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), in partnership with War Child, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Plan International under the PlayMatters initiative, has successfully concluded a five-day validation workshop for the Play Smart teacher training materials. The workshop brought together technical experts from the Ministry, State Ministries of Education, and education partners to review, refine, and validate training resources designed to integrate learning through play into classroom teaching and learning.

The Play Smart materials are intended to equip teachers with practical, play-based methodologies that make learning more engaging, inclusive, and effective for all children. By encouraging active participation, creativity, and problem-solving, the materials aim to support improved learning outcomes, foster lifelong learning skills, and promote the well-being of learners, including children affected by displacement and crisis. The validation process also ensured that the materials are aligned with South Sudan’s national curriculum and responsive to the country's educational context.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, Hon. Omot Okony, highlighted the importance of addressing persistent learning challenges, particularly in foundational literacy. He emphasized that while the validation of the materials marks an important milestone, effective implementation will require comprehensive teacher training to ensure educators are well equipped to apply the new approaches in classrooms across the country.

The Director General of the National Curriculum Development Centre, Bullen Daniel, noted that the validated materials introduce an innovative approach to supporting young learners and strengthening classroom practice. He commended the collaborative efforts of the Ministry and its partners in developing resources that place children's participation and engagement at the centre of learning. The workshop was facilitated by War Child, IRC, and Plan International as part of ongoing efforts to promote inclusive, child-centred teaching approaches in South Sudan.

On behalf of Plan International, Country Director Reshma Azmi expressed appreciation to the Ministry and partner organizations for their commitment and collaboration throughout the process. She reaffirmed the partners’ dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential through quality and inclusive education.

With the validation process now complete, the Play Smart materials will proceed to final production and printing. The next phase will focus on training teachers to effectively use the resources before they are rolled out in schools, marking another important step towards creating more engaging and supportive learning environments for children across South Sudan.