Regina Peter Sursura, 74, is a student in class three! This is rare in Africa and particularly in South Sudan. It sounds strange for an adult above eighteen years of age to sit with children and learn in primary school.
Regina Peter Sursura, 74, is a student in class three! This is rare in Africa and particularly in South Sudan. It sounds strange for an adult above eighteen years of age to sit with children and learn in primary school.
Such a thing sometimes is considered abnormal on the side of an adult student. With that mindset, many elderly Africans do not go to school even if they have the opportunity.
Perhaps they think it is embarrassing or too late for an elder to sit with his or her grandchild for at school.Not only that, but it is also tough for the older students when the young people correct them, or to fail exams while grandchildren are taking the lead in class.
This has created a negative impact on adult education programme in South Sudan and perhaps other African nations.Regina finds herself in this predicament. When I interviewed her, I learned that there are many other old men and women who have a desire to go to school to pursue studies in their old ages but they are inhibited by societal perceptions.
When I interviewed her, I learned that there are many men and women who desire to learn although they are old. They want to go back to school to pursue studies in their old age but they are inhibited by societal perceptions.This is not a surprise, considering the many years of war that disrupted learning in many parts of the country. Last year, former Minister of Education,
Dr. Milli Michael states, illiteracy rate in South Sudan has reduced to 73 percent. However, this is still high figure compares to other nations in Africa and other continents. Regina on the other hand, took courage and ignored all negative thoughts and perceptions she may receive from her community.
She accepted attending primary school at 74. She studies with children fit to be her grandchildren in Sunday Adult Education programme organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Wau. I asked her how she experiences learning with children and what do they say about her?
“It’s not easy for people of my age to study at school with children of school age. First and foremost, you must be humble and ready to accept corrections from your colleagues. It is also not easy sitting together with your grandchildren on one bench; they are fast in writing, and understanding. At times they are sarcastic.”
Regina went on to encourage that, “No matter what you still need their assistance where it is necessary. I do not feel offended to ask a child something I did not understand in class even if he or she may look at me as a fool. However, “I am happy to be with them, even though they are impatient to explain to me some things in detail, it is not big deal to me as long as I get what I want.” “I love to study with my grandchildren.
They are enjoyable. They would play with me. They love calling me, grandmother! They still recognize my elderliness and that is the beauty of it. Therefore, your age should not be an excuse for you to go to school and learn. If I have a desire to learn, then I can pursue my education without any problem.” I asked her, “what about the community around you, what do they say?
Regina explains, that “it has been traditionally well perceived that education is for young children. Therefore, it is not a surprise for me to see people wondering what I am doing at school. Some people would ask “what will you do with your education; after all,you are old to get a job? But I always tell them, learning has nothing to do with your age. It is not also about getting a job. It is about learning new ideas, updating you with current affairs.
The world is changing every day, if you are still holding on to the past you will find it difficult. For me, being in school is not about money but it is about acquainting myself with issues of the today’s world, so that I would be able to reason with my grandchildren who always believe that they are agents of change. I also go to school to keep myself busy so that I will not have a lot of stress as at home.”
“You see! I have every reason to enroll in adult education. My age should not be an excuse to remain at home. Life is all about learning whether at home or at school. Learning does not stop until one dies.”
Therefore, much work must be done in order to make education accessible to all people at all ages in the new nation of South Sudan.
With the help of international aid organizations, missionaries, and other countries, together with community leaders, intellectuals, and the government, South Sudan must take great strides to improve its present rate of illiteracy. A study conducted in 2003 by the World Bank says, “Research shows that it takes five to six years of basic schooling to achieve functional literacy and numeracy.” Yet many in Sudan only have one or two years of total schooling, which puts them well below the literacy mark. Sadly, much work must be done in order to make education accessible to all levels of Sudanese society.
With the help of international aid organizations, missionaries, and other countries, coupled with community elders, intellectuals, and the government, South Sudan must take great strides to ameliorate its present rate of illiteracy.Therefore, the story of Regina Peter is one of the inspiring testimonies. It is a first step that Regina has taken to show the direction. We wish her all the best in her studies.
