Strengthening Teacher Leadership in South Sudan through Mentorship Programs

Improving education is not only about training teachers. It is about ensuring they have the support, confidence and opportunities to continue learning, growing and leading throughout their careers. In South Sudan, where teacher shortages and limited professional development opportunities continue to challenge education delivery, peer mentorship is proving to be a powerful tool for strengthening the teaching workforce.

Through the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA), Oxfam in South Sudan, in partnership with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, the Disabled Agency for Rehabilitation and Development (DARD), and Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF), is helping experienced female teachers become mentors and leaders within their schools and communities. The initiative is funded by the European Union through Expertise France.

The mentorship programme builds broader teacher professional development efforts by providing ongoing, school-based support long after formal training sessions have ended. Through one-on-one coaching, classroom observation and practical guidance, mentors work alongside fellow teachers to strengthen lesson delivery, classroom management, learner participation, and overall teaching effectiveness.

Beyond improving classroom practice, the programme is helping address a long-standing challenge in South Sudan's education sector: the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. By creating supportive spaces where female teachers can learn from one another, share experiences and build confidence, the initiative is helping more women step into positions of influence within their schools.

One of those women is Hellen, a primary school teacher who now serves as a mentor to her peers. Following her successful completion of mentorship training and recognition of her strong classroom practice, Hellen was selected to guide and support fellow educators in her school community.

For Hellen, the role is about much more than professional recognition.