School Closed Indefinitely after 2 Teachers Collapsed in Class Due to Hunger
- Two teachers collapsed from hunger while teaching in Tambura County, triggering the temporary closure of several schools
- The educators hadn’t eaten in over a day and were later diagnosed with severe malnutrition
- With teachers unpaid for 17 months and banks withholding salaries, the region’s education system is now at risk of total collapse
Two teachers at Renzi Primary School collapsed from hunger while teaching, highlighting the severe humanitarian and financial crisis affecting educators in the region.
Source: Getty Images
Hot in Juba reports that the incident, which occurred in Tambura County, has raised alarm across the state.
Why 2 teachers fainted
According to State Minister of Education Grace Apollo Musa, the teachers had gone an entire day without food before fainting mid-lesson.
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Medical staff at a local hospital later diagnosed both individuals with severe malnutrition.
“These teachers hadn’t eaten in over 24 hours,” Musa said. “They’re not just overworked, they’re starving.”
The dire circumstances stem from a prolonged salary delay. Musa revealed that many teachers in the state have not received their wages for more than 17 months.
Why teachers haven't been paid
While the national government claims that salaries have been deposited, local banks have failed to disburse the funds, citing a critical cash shortage.
“We hear the money is in the bank, but when you go there, the manager says there’s no money,” Musa lamented. “It’s heartbreaking. Our teachers are collapsing. Our education system is collapsing.”
In the wake of the incident, several schools across the state have suspended classes.
Educators say they can no longer continue working under such harsh conditions, while students are increasingly unable to focus due to widespread food insecurity at home.
Civil society calls for intervention
Education officials are now appealing to both the national government and financial institutions to urgently intervene.
They warn that if the situation continues, the region could face a full-scale educational breakdown, with devastating long-term consequences for students and communities.
“This is a humanitarian emergency,” Musa stressed. “We need immediate action to save our schools, and our teachers.”
The crisis has sparked outrage among civil society groups and education advocates, who are calling for an investigation into the crisis.
Source: Getty Images
Social media reactions
"With the energy involved in teaching. Then there might be the case where the teachers are few. You can die, oh."
Nyakwar Ligaye
"Someone who is just normal can be working for 17 months without a salary? How? Something is definitely wrong."
John Ouma
"How can a teacher teach for 17 months without receiving a single month's salary? How were they surviving?"
Vihiga teacher who died after collapsing buried
In an earlier story, the teaching fraternity in Vihiga County converged to mourn the sudden loss of Mr Oyugi Sinzore, a respected headteacher who tragically collapsed and died.
In an emotional sendoff at his Kitulu home, family, colleagues, and students paid their final respects, recalling his unwavering dedication to education.
Tears flowed as his casket was lowered into the grave, marking the end of a legacy that touched countless lives.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
