Chinese Government provides $20 million grant for Phase 2 of Educational Technical Cooperation Project (Linked to Record ID#59201)

Project narrative

In March 2015, the Chinese Government and the Government of South Sudan agreed to conduct a feasibility study for the Educational Technical Cooperation Project. The feasibility study was completed in May 2015. Then, on February 3, 2016, the Chinese Government and the Government of South Sudan signed an exchange of letters regarding Phase 1 of the Educational Technical Cooperation Project. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) reportedly committed $6 million of grant funding for the project’s first phase (captured via Record ID#59201). Phase 1 involved the design of courses, the training for over 200 South Sudanese teachers in China, the printing of over 1,299,000 textbooks for use by 150,000 teachers and students, and the construction of training centers. China South Publishing and Media Group (中南出版传媒集团股份有限公司) was the contractor responsible for project implementation. Phase 1 officially commenced on June 29, 2016. One month later, on July 29, 2016, MOFCOM awarded a contract to China South Publishing and Media Group. Then, on December 23, 2016, a project implementation agreement was signed by the Chinese Government and the Government of South Sudan. The first phase of teacher training activities was completed in April 2017. During Phase 1, 54 teachers were trained including 14 members of parliament who were members of the education committee. Then, on July 14, 2017, the first batch of 745,000 textbooks and the equipment of the ICT teacher training center arrived in Juba. The second batch of 554,000 textbooks was scheduled for printing by the end of 2017. The project’s first phase passed a mid-term inspection by MOFCOM in December 2017. A one-month ICT training was successfully completed in South Sudan in February 2018. The project’s ICT infrastructure and ICT training component was completed in September 2018. Phase 1 ultimately reached completion on November 22, 2018. Then, on June 18, 2020, the Chinese Government and the Government of South Sudan signed an exchange of letters regarding Phase 2 of the Educational Technical Cooperation Project. MOFCOM reportedly committed $20 million of grant funding for the project’s second phase (captured via Record ID#92527). Phase 2 involves the compilation and printing of primary school textbooks for the subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, the capacity building of teachers and educational management personnel. It also involves the development and supply of textbook usage evaluation systems, and supply of teaching equipment and the carrying out of Chinese language programs. Shanghai Educational Publishing House, a leading educational press in China, is the contractor responsible for project implementation. Project implementation officially commenced on December 6, 2021. Then, in February 2022, South Sudan's Ministry of Education in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan officially launched a Chinese Language training center at the Juba Day Secondary School in Juba. On November 15, 2023, an opening ceremony was held for the teacher training component of Phase 2.