By Emmanuel Mandella
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Rt. Rev. Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has officially inaugurated a newly constructed nursery and primary school building at St. Augustine Parish in Yambio, describing the institution as a house of wisdom and knowledge and a foundation for nurturing good leadership in South Sudan.
Speaking during the inauguration and blessing ceremony on Friday, Bishop Hiiboro emphasized the central role of education in shaping morally upright, disciplined, and responsible citizens, noting that schools remain key pillars for the future of both the Church and the nation.
The nursery school was initiated last year by solidarity teachers and Catholic sisters, with support from partners in Poland, before its official opening this week. The school currently offers classes from nursery to Primary Two and is expected to benefit children from the Nagori residential area and the wider Yambio town community, significantly improving access to early childhood and primary education.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the host parish, Father Jochim Oboi, Parish Priest and Principal of St. Augustine Parish and Primary School, thanked the Bishop for blessing the new school building and for his continued pastoral support. He said that by opening and blessing the school, the Bishop has planted a seed of hope, faith, and knowledge in the hearts of the children and in the future of the community and country at large.
Father Oboi praised the Bishop’s fatherly guidance, noting that church leadership has consistently listened to the needs of the school and supported its growth. He added that the pre-primary and primary sections carry equal value and that the Bishop’s words would remain engraved in the hearts of both pupils and teachers.
The Head Teacher of the newly constructed pre-primary school, Mary Kamilio, reflected on the school’s journey, recalling that in 2018, classes were conducted under a tent when the Bishop first visited. She remembered how the Bishop entered that tent, spoke to the children, and called it an international school, saying that word has stayed in her heart until today.
Kamilio also paid tribute to the late Bishop Joseph Gasi, whom she described as a visionary mentor who foresaw the educational potential of the area. She said he was truly a man of hope, adding that today schools and institutes are growing in the area, and she believes that one day even universities will rise there. She thanked donors and church partners for standing with the Nagori community, noting that within one year, the area had grown from opening one primary school to inaugurating three.
On behalf of the teaching staff, Teacher Nelson Ngoti underscored the importance of unity between the pre-primary section, known as Kida Gardens, and the primary school to ensure a smooth transition for learners. He emphasized that the children are entrusted to teachers by their parents, and it is their responsibility to work together to give them the best education possible.
Ngoti commended pupils for maintaining discipline and protecting school property, particularly by keeping the school walls clean, and urged teachers and learners alike to uphold prayer as a core value of Catholic education. He stressed that teaching must be driven by passion, not by money, adding that when teachers teach with love, their impact will be different and lasting.
Speaking on behalf of the donors, Sister Elizabeth Blok described the day as historic and expressed joy at witnessing the growth and progress of the school. She said the donors were very happy that the Bishop was present to celebrate Mass and bless the children and the school.
Sister Elizabeth highlighted the symbolic crowning of Primary One pupils, marking their official entry into primary education, and expressed hope that the learners would successfully complete their studies and advance to higher levels. She praised the commitment of teachers, administrators, and support staff, assuring that donors were encouraged by the school’s progress and would continue to support its mission. With the Bishop’s blessings and through teamwork, she expressed confidence that the school would continue to move forward, never backward.
The event concluded with prayers, blessings, and a call for continued collaboration between the Church, educators, parents, and partners. Church leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting education and community development across Western Equatoria State, describing the new school as a beacon of hope for the next generation.
