"They're Choosing Schools Over the Military?" South Sudan's Parliament Makes a Bold Decision
Hi everyone!
I hope you're having a wonderful day.
I'm Pyeongon, a teacher who loves peace.😊
This morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee and browsing the news, I came across a story that truly stopped me in my tracks and deeply moved me.
It was about a historic step toward peace that took place in South Sudan on September 15, 2025.
Even though some time has passed, the story is just as inspiring today as it was then.
These days, it often feels like the
headlines are filled with war, conflict, and heartbreaking news.
It's heartbreaking to think about how much blood has been shed through years of conflict in such a beautiful land.
But now, a new chapter of hope and peace is beginning.
South Sudan, a country that has lived through years of civil war, has shared news that many are calling a remarkable step toward peace.
As both a mother and a teacher, I felt this was a story worth sharing because it speaks directly to the kind of future we all hope children can grow up in.
Would you take a moment to hear the
inspiring story of people who chose books over bullets and hope over conflict?
💰
"We'll Send Our Children to School Instead of Buying Weapons"
South Sudan's Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) made history with a landmark decision.
Lawmakers officially adopted Resolution No.
29, expressing their support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW),
an initiative that promotes lasting peace and the prevention of war.
It may be just one document, but its significance is enormous.
With support now extending across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, it marked a historic step toward building peace through national institutions.
There was one part of the resolution that truly moved me to tears.
It encourages redirecting resources away
from military spending and toward human rights, education, healthcare, and
other areas that help build a more peaceful and sustainable future.
As a mother and a teacher, I felt overwhelmed with hope and gratitude.
Children who once had to learn how to survive in the midst of conflict will now have the opportunity to study peace and human rights as part of their education.
It is a powerful decision by adults to
invest in children's futures rather than weapons.
Hopefully, classrooms across South Sudan will soon be filled with laughter and peaceful discussions.
That's the kind of transformation that
becomes possible when resources are invested in education instead of conflict.
💧 A Nation That Had Never Known the Sweetness of Peace
Reaching this decision wasn't easy. Many lawmakers questioned whether the declaration had any legal standing under international law.
Others wondered whether adopting it voluntarily was even the right legal step, leading to intense debate in parliament.
Yet two remarkable leaders helped turn
those debates into a historic moment.
One of them was Jemma Nunu Kumba, South Sudan's first female Speaker of Parliament.
During the 1991 civil war, she was forced
to flee her hometown and became one of hundreds of thousands of refugees.
"Living in exile felt like losing a part of my soul."
"All I wanted was to live in my own
country with my own people."
After enduring those difficult years and
becoming Speaker, she believed that the DPCW could serve as a practical
framework to strengthen government efforts for peace by encouraging nations to
voluntarily develop laws and policies.
Another key figure was Bona Deng Lawrence, who chaired the Committee on Peace and Reconciliation.
His own family also carried a painful
history. His father survived a peace negotiation mission where all of his
fellow delegates were killed.
One statement he made during the
parliamentary debate stayed with me long after I finished reading.
"Since gaining independence, our nation's history has been marked by conflict and war."
"Many of us have never truly experienced the blessings of peace, and that's exactly why we must dedicate ourselves to building it."
"We've had enough of war, and we've witnessed how it destroys generations."
"Now is the time to choose
peace."
Through persistent dialogue with government ministries and careful legal review, supporters ultimately secured unanimous approval from the legislature.
Their commitment to pursuing peace is truly
inspiring.
🌱 Peace
Is Something We Choose
News of the resolution brought renewed hope
to many South Sudanese who had been anxious about the slow progress of the
peace process. Many shed tears of joy, saying that the decision brought them
great comfort.
Community-led initiatives, including the
Youth Empowerment for Peace Workshop (YEPW) and the Youth Education for Peace
Classroom (YEPC), are also expected to become institutionalized, giving young
people a greater role in building a peaceful future.
As a mother, I hope my child grows up in a world free from the sound of gunfire. As a teacher, I hope every child has the opportunity to learn about peace in a safe and welcoming classroom.
I hope this seed of peace planted in South Sudan today will spread around the world and grow into a future filled with hope.
💬 I'd
love to hear your thoughts.
What stood out to you most as you read this story?
What kind of future could we create for the next generation if more resources were invested in children's education and future instead of conflict?
I'd love to hear your perspective in the comments below.
Thank you so much for taking the time to
read this post. I truly appreciate you being here. 🌿
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