Teacher training

The community at the Solidarity Teacher Training College (STTC) in Yambio, the capital of the State of Western Equatoria, is international and inter-congregational, composed of religious men and women from different countries. All community members are tutored at the College and are accompanied by lay volunteers including tutors from South Sudan and other African countries.

The STTC offers several courses in tune with the needs of the student-teachers.

The Preservice Programme is for young students who aspire to become primary school teachers. It is a two-year course at the College which, in addition to tuition, offers board and lodging, as well as a laundry and various recreational areas. The tutors’ Community House and the College Chapel are located within the complex, which is surrounded by a security wall with a gate guard.
The South Sudan teacher training programme requires the teaching of the following subjects: vocational studies, English, mathematics, science, social studies, Christian religious education, physical and health education, art and music.
Students follow a curriculum in accordance with the New National Curriculum in effect since 2020, which includes regular examinations and an internship in one of the many primary schools in the Diocese of Yambio. The course culminates in a final examination for a nationally recognized primary school teaching certificate.
Extra-curricular activities include workshops in music, art, gardening and landscaping, recycling, sports activities and workshops on other specific topics. In addition, a library with a wide selection of study and teaching books is available to help students with their assignments in accordance with the specific requirements of each course.

The Inservice Programme is instead aimed at teachers who are already employed in primary schools in the country but without a formally recognised qualification. It is also a two-year but non-residential course. Classes are held every afternoon from Monday to Friday (and if necessary during holiday periods); on class days, students are provided with lunch and dinner, as well as all teaching materials. The Inservice programme, started in 2012, aims to reach teachers all over the country. There is currently one location at the STTC in Yambio (from 2022) and one in Wau, opened in 2025 .

Finally, July 2022 saw the launch of the Diploma Programme, a new one-year degree programme, which further enhances the qualification of the STTC diploma and welcomes both STTC graduates and teachers from other educational institutions with equivalent certification.

The STTC’s student community is made up of students from all regions of the country, including the Nuba Mountains, reflecting Solidarity’s intention to encourage the building of relations of knowledge and peaceful coexistence between different tribal groups and thus promote a positive model of unity, collaboration and mutual enrichment.

The college has a high percentage of female students: 43% in the Pre-service course and 41% of the total number of students attending courses at STTC are women. This is encouraging and demonstrates the commitment to gender equality and the growing awareness of the importance of female education in South Sudan.

To date, 899 primary school teachers have graduated from the College’s Preservice and In-service Programme and 58 teachers have completed the Diploma course. Almost all teachers who have attended or are attending In-service training work in schools in the country, and 72% of Pre-service graduates are currently employed in the education sector, often in their home communities.

Download the STTC project infographic HERE!