South Sudan Launches New Textbooks for Accelerated Secondary Education
On 9 December 2025, South Sudan marked an important moment for teacher development as the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), together with Windle Trust International (WTI), launched condensed textbooks for the Accelerated Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) - a pioneering programme that offers adult learners the opportunity to complete their secondary education in just two years. These textbooks will enable thousands of teachers to complete their secondary education through an accessible, accelerated pathway.
The event drew an impressive assembly of national education leaders, development partners, and technical staff. The launch is part of the Building Skills for Human Capital Development in South Sudan (BSHCDSS) project, funded by the World Bank and jointly implemented by MoGEI and WTI. The project aims to expand opportunities for unqualified volunteer teachers, increase women’s participation in the teaching profession, and support refugee teachers with intensive English language training.
Expanding opportunity to female teachers
For many teachers across South Sudan, especially in remote and underserved areas, returning to school is simply not possible. ASEP creates a realistic alternative: a flexible route to achieving the South Sudan Certificate of Secondary Education while continuing to teach. The newly condensed textbooks make this pathway even more achievable, reducing the burden on learners while while ensuring strong academic standards.
At the launch event, the ASEP Project Implementation Unit (PIU) focal person, Elizabeth Yom Mach, highlighted a promising early outcome: 35% of ASEP learners enrolled so far are women. Elizabeth shared:
“This achievement demonstrates the project’s potential to empower women who, for many years, have been underrepresented in secondary and higher-level education pathways. We are not only increasing access but also levelling the field for female educators to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”
Ministerial leadership champions ASEP
Leaders from the Ministry welcomed the growing momentum of the programme. In his keynote address, the Minister of General Education, Hon. Minister Kuyok Abol Kuyok reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding alternative education pathways:
"I’m pleased to highlight the major achievemnts so far. This includes the ASEP centres and the condensation of ASEP textbooks that we are launching today.
These achievements mark a significant milestone in our collective effort to build a stronger, more skilled, more resilient nation through education.
The Ministry remains committed to ensuring the successful delivery of this transformative programme for the benefit of our teachers, learners, and our entire country."
The Deputy Minister of General Education, Hon. Tako Moy also praised the collaborative efforts of MoGEI, WTI, and the World Bank: “This project will go a long way in improving the quality of teachers in South Sudan.” He emphasised that meaningful reform is only possible through strong partnerships.
Key achievements to date
3,433 ASEP learners enrolled, including 1,193 women
58 ASEP learning centres established across the country
1,000 refugee teachers supported through Intensive English Courses
Stronger national partnerships driving education reform
Condensed ASEP textbooks launched, ready for printing and nationwide distribution
Looking ahead to a brighter future
The launch of the new condensed textbooks represents a significance that reaches far beyond learning materials. It signals a growing national commitment to building a qualified, confident, and future-ready teaching workforce - one that can support stability, equity, and long-term human capital development.
Through our collaborative efforts with MoGEI and the World Bank, South Sudan is carving a new path towards a stronger education system and a brighter future for generations to come.