Ariang Network of Schools

Ariang Network of Schools

The goal of Ariang Network of Schools is to bring local schools together for stronger support networks in order to promote long-term sustainability and uplift the education status of the entire community making it more equitable for all. This program supports three area primary schools, reaching over 2,500 students and close to 60 educators.

The biggest challenge that most schools face in South Sudan is sustainability. Schools are built and kick off learning to then close down in less than one decade. In just the two-hour drive from Wau to Ariang, you will see several abandoned school buildings, a symbol of failed community dreams.  This national issue is due to a number of factors that include mass student dropouts, weak school leadership & management, insufficient funding, on-going civil war, insecurity concerns, hunger, and insignificant teacher salaries. This program focuses on the following objectives:  

  • Construction of school infrastructures

    Construction of permanent school infrastructures such as classrooms, bathrooms & drainage systems, boreholes, and water storage units.

  • Student welfare and support

    Distribution of school uniforms, shoes, books & pens, and sports equipment to both teachers and students to make access to quality education affordable for all.

  • Strengthen schools’ leadership and management capacities

    Develop schools’ capacity so that schools can manage their operations, resources, and coordinate the teaching & support staff effectively. This includes providing teachers with learning opportunities and establishing and maintaining partnerships with other like-minded organizations.

  • Advocacy for girls’ education and empowerment

    Advocacy for girls’ education and support for girls to enroll and stay in school until they graduate.

  • Identify and address training gaps

    Addressing training gaps by recruiting qualified teachers and supplementing teachers’ salaries so that teachers can focus on teaching. Currently, teachers in ANS get an average monthly salary of between $20-$50 from the government. This salary bracket is insufficient to meet teachers’ needs. Through this program, their salary is topped-up to create more fair living wages.

What Are The Achievements Of Ariang Network of Schools?

Impact stories

  • 347 graduates

    Graduated 347 between 2011 and 2019 up from a total school population of under 100 students in 2011.

  • Developed a feeder school model

    Successfully developed a “feeder school” model where students in grades 7 & 8 all feed into Ariang Primary School allowing the most qualified teachers to be placed in these high-stakes and high-impact classes, therefore, benefiting all students living within the network of schools.

  • Built Ariang Primary School from scratch

    Built Ariang Primary School from what used to be a cows’ resting place. Before the construction of the school, students gathered under trees in an open field to receive instructions. Today, Ariang School has 8 permanent classes for grades 1 – 8, 1 kitchen, 1 staff office, 1 food store/library & 1 kitchen, 12 permanent bathroom units, 1 septic tank, 1 hand-pump borehole, and a rainwater collection facility.  While many schools were closing down in South Sudan due to the resurgence of civil wars in 2013, ANS ensured sustainability and continued learning of the 3 area schools. Ariang School, for example, has even become the testing center during national exams.

  • Student welfare and support

    Distributed 3,750 school uniforms and pairs of shoes to students and more than 20,000 school supplies (exercise books pens, and sports equipment) since 2011.

  • Set up a lending library

    Set up a lending library that has over 500 textbooks and other learning materials.

  • Teacher professional development

    Supported 9 teachers to attend 2 teacher training programs in Kenya and successfully conducted a full-year of professional development for teachers of Ariang School. ANS aims is to reach more teachers through a “turn-key training model” in order to develop more teacher’s capacity to teach.

  • Provision of high-quality education

    ANS has become a leader in quality education. In 2018 – 2019, ANS schools were among the top 3 best performing schools in the primary school national exams in the county. Through ANS, the percentage of girls attending school increased from about 20% in 2011 to 50% in 2019.

The Schools Supported By ANS And Their Histories

Meeting The Needs – One School At A Time

Ariang Primary School

Mading Primary School

Nyieth Primary School