** Education in danger: The hot climate of emergency in South Sudan **
On October 26, 2023, South Sudan issued an alarming statement by announcing the temporary closure of all schools for two weeks, a decision dictated by an extreme heat wave that led to the collapse of several students in classrooms . The observation is bitter: in a country already weakened by armed conflicts and precarious public health, the education of his youth is at a critical turning point under the weight of a climate that has become more and more hostile.
The situation that the country goes through perfectly illustrates the direct impact of the devastating effects of climate change, testifying to an exacerbated vulnerability. Currently, temperatures in Juba, capital of South Sudan, often exceed 40 degrees Celsius. For a country already in the grip of humanitarian crises, where nearly 400,000 lives were tragically lost between 2013 and 2018 during internal conflicts, children’s health and safety are jeopardized.
### A country between heat and inactivity
It is important to note that many schools in South Sudan are built with precarious materials such as metal sheets, without access to electricity to maintain a suitable learning environment. The State does not have cooling systems, thus increasing the risk of insolation for students, as revealed by Martin Tako me, the deputy minister of education, who reported that in average 12 students S ‘ collapse every day.
The state reactive response to the climate crisis raises questions about long -term planning. Indeed, this closure of schools is not an isolated case. This is the second time in a few months that schools have been arrested, a cynical reality that highlights flaws in the educational infrastructure. In comparison, other developing countries in the world, such as Bangladesh or the Philippines, have developed flexible school calendars that take into account extreme climatic conditions, integrating adaptation strategies to minimize learning interruptions.
### towards resilient education?
Faced with this crisis, several voices have been raised, suggesting a change in the school calendar to take into account extreme heat seasons. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, dean of Graduate College at the University of Juba, proposed to locate the school calendar according to the climatic conditions of each State. This is an innovative initiative that could not only meet the immediate needs of students, but also pave the way for real educational resilience in the country.
Civil society organizations, such as Integrity South Southan, have made harsh criticisms against the government, highlighting the absence of adequate contingency plans to cope with the vagaries. These accusations highlight a failure in public management, where children’s education is not prioritized in a crisis situation.
### Answers to a perfect storm
The urgency of a global action plan is manifest, not only to protect students during heat waves, but also to counter the cumulative effects of a vacillating health system shared by millions of citizens. South Sudan must invest in more sustainable school infrastructure, which can well manage climatic extremes – whether ventilation systems, suitable building materials or educational programs that include awareness of risks linked to climatic conditions.
Paradoxically, the fragility of the South Sudan education system, now exacerbated by the climate, can also be perceived as an opportunity for decision -makers to reshape priorities. An educational policy that takes into account the effects of climate change could promote the emergence of a new learning framework. Such an approach could not only improve the quality of education, but also tighten links within communities, allowing students to become actors of change in their society.
### A voice that carries
Political decisions taken today in South Sudan will influence the well-being and the future of millions of children. Each initiative to adapt the education system is a step towards sustainable resilience. By integrating a proactive approach to the climate, South Sudan can not only increase academic attendance, but also promote a culture of awareness and preparation-a vital necessity in a world where the climate becomes a leading player in Human crises.
While the government has grinds injuries from its conflicting past, it is imperative that it embraces a future where education and climate are not in opposition, but collaborate to forge a stronger and more lasting society. The path is long, but the stake could not be more crucial: youth education, the future of South Sudan.