Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Governance Cluster has approved changes to South Sudan’s academic calendar, setting the school year to run for nine months from April to December following concerns over extreme heat affecting students.
The decision was reached during a Tuesday meeting chaired by Vice President for Gender and Youth, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior.
The adjustment comes after repeated disruptions to learning caused by rising temperatures. In February 2025, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction ordered the temporary closure of schools in Juba and other areas after reports showed an average of 12 students collapsing daily due to heat-related illnesses.
Information Minister Ateny Wek Ateny said the changes form part of efforts to address the impact of climate conditions on the education sector.
“The issue of General Education Act 2012, which is to be amended into the 2026 bill, was presented by Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, to the Governance Cluster, that Section 10A of the General Education Act 2012 has to be amended so that the opening of the school calendar in the Republic of South Sudan begins to be operational for a period of nine months, running from the beginning of April to the end of December,” he said.
“This was done because of climate change, that the heat wave affects the people of South Sudan.”
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Michael Makuei Lueth presented the proposed amendments to the General Education Act 2012, with changes to Section 10A now being processed as part of the 2026 bill to formalize the new calendar.
Officials say the move is intended to reduce the impact of prolonged heatwaves on students and ensure continuity of learning across the country.
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