South Sudan Launches Disability Resource Centre at the University of Juba

• Feb 27, 2026
• Awut Deng Jr.

The Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW), and the University of Juba, in partnership with Light for the World and the Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) partners, officially launched the Disability Resource Centre at the University of Juba on 26 February 2026.

The Centre, established by Light for the World and MYRP, aims to support students with disabilities in accessing equal educational opportunities through the provision of appropriate accommodations and accessible facilities. It promotes independence by fostering barrier-free environments based on universal design principles and prepares learners for self-advocacy.

The Disability Resource Centre will also assist students and staff with disabilities in gaining equitable access to academic programs and services across the University of Juba in line with their individual needs.

The Multi-Year Resilience Programme, funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), is a three-year initiative implemented across 14 counties through a consortium comprising Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and Finn Church Aid.

The official launch of the Resource Centre marks a significant milestone in advancing disability inclusion and promoting equitable access to higher education across South Sudan.

Addressing the audience at the launch, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of General Education and Instruction stated, “It is the first time in South Sudan that such a program has been launched. This marks a major step toward promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all before 2030.”

Hon. Omot Okony added, “We know that for a long time people with disabilities have suffered from discrimination and limited access to education. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for Agenda 2030 remind us that we must ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

He noted that the establishment of the Centre demonstrated the government’s recognition of inclusive education as essential to achieving education for all. Hon. Omot further explained that the Ministry, in collaboration with its partners, was working to promote inclusive education despite ongoing challenges such as the lack of Braille materials in schools. He commended Light for the World for translating the national curriculum from Primary One to Primary Eight, describing it as a key step toward improving learning opportunities for more than five thousand learners with disabilities across the country.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lothar Jaschke, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to South Sudan, applauded the initiative, saying that the event represented more than just a milestone for the University of Juba but also a commitment to improving access for students with special needs. He further expressed hope that the Centre would encourage other higher learning institutions in South Sudan to take similar steps to guarantee equal access for all learners.

On 24 February 2023, South Sudan took a historic step forward in promoting disability inclusion by signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This landmark commitment obligates the government to respect, protect, and fulfil the rights of persons with disabilities across the country.