Flooding and drought have long shaped life in South Sudan, but climate change is increasing their frequency and severity—disrupting education and deepening existing inequalities.

With support from GPE and other partners, the government of South Sudan has strengthened the education system’s resilience against these hazards, ensuring that children can continue learning despite the climate challenges they may face.

Through a US$10 million GPE grant for 2023–2025 - additional financing to the Education Cannot Wait 2023-2026 Multi-Year Resilience Program for South Sudan - targeted schools have become safer, more inclusive and better equipped to withstand crisis.

The GPE grant, managed by Save the Children, supported interventions such as building flood-resilient classrooms and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities; along with providing remedial classes and school supplies for learners whose education was disrupted by flooding.

It also focused on capacity building for school management committees and parent–teacher associations in disaster risk reduction and management; and establishing school environmental clubs to carry out activities, such as tree planting and ensuring proper sanitation practices.

This support is making a tangible difference in the lives of students—like Kau and Akeer—who are working to continue their education despite significant challenges.

Kau: Back to school, with a mission

At 19 years old, Kau might not look like a typical primary school student—but after years of displacement, he’s finally back in class, preparing for his grade 8 exams.

Kau and his family were forced to flee their home during South Sudan’s 2013 conflict, eventually returning to the city of Malakal in the Upper Nile State.

Life hasn’t been easy since: Kau's mother supports their family by making and selling tea. Thanks to her dedication, Kau and his five younger siblings are able to attend school.

Kau attends Malakia Boys Primary School and is not only learning the curriculum, but also taking part in a school club focused on environmental education. The training has equipped students with practical knowledge, like how and when to plant and water trees and prevent littering.

For Kau, education is more than catching up on lost time—it’s a way to protect his community and lead others toward a more resilient future.

Akeer: Standing tall for girls’ education

Akeer, 18, has already overcome enormous challenges. When civil war broke out in 2013, her family fled to Uganda, where they spent eight years in a refugee camp. In 2023, they returned home to Malakal. Despite the disruption, Akeer is now in grade eight and thriving in an all-girls’ primary school.

With support from the GPE-funded project, Akeer has learned about gender equality and inclusion in climate adaptation efforts. She speaks passionately about how girls are often the most affected during disasters: “During flooding, we are sent to collect firewood in dangerous conditions,” she says.

And in the dry season, water shortages pose sanitation challenges. The installation of a 25,000-liter rainwater tank and improved sanitation facilities has made a world of difference for Akeer and her classmates, along with the distribution of dignity kits to support menstrual hygiene.

A transformative impact

Alongside students like Kau and Akeer, thousands of others have benefited from the GPE-supported program:

• Over 2,600 out-of-school children have participated in accelerated learning programs to re-enter school
• More than 26,600 students have received school supplies and remedial education support
• Over 11,200 dignity kits were distributed to adolescent girls leading to increased school attendance by girls
• 176 safe and inclusive classrooms have been built or renovated across 22 flood-resilient schools along with gender-segregated and/or disability-friendly latrines
• 400 members of school management committees and parent-teacher associations have participated in disaster risk reduction training
• Community members—including chiefs, teachers, youth leaders and people with disabilities—are actively participating in school planning and climate resilience efforts.

Mary’s statement reflects a deepened awareness among the community about the link between human activity and climate change and their newfound ability to develop disaster mitigation plans.

The GPE-funded training has strengthened the resilience of communities like Mary's, making them better prepared to face future challenges.

The comprehensive program interventions have contributed to the foundation for a stronger, more resilient education system—one that can better withstand the shocks of climate change and help South Sudan’s children build a brighter future.

*Name has been changed.