James is the Principal of Yei Teacher Training College and the Secretary of the college's Board of Governors

Chairman of YTTC Board of Governors

The Rt. Rev. Hilary Luate Adeba is the Chairman of the YTTC Board of Governors.

Born in the Yei district, Bishop Hilary has been the Diocesan Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan, Diocese of Yei since 2004 and a keen advocate and supporter of the YTTC since its inception in 2001 as the then Vicar General of the ECS Diocese.

With a BLS Hons at Loughbrough University, UK and a MA in Theology at the University of Manchester, UK, Bishop Hilary also has fifteen years experience as a Senior Library Assistant at the University of Juba.  He has a love for education and strongly believes there is a need for trained, quality teachers for the education of the children of South Sudan.  He desires to see positive change both privately and institutionally in support and encouragement of community based initiatives like YTTC, which assist the government in advancing this new nation’s development programme.

It is thanks to the influence of Bishop Hilary that 30 acres of land has been donated by the church to YTTC, significantly aiding its development.

Welcome to the YTTC Campus News
Presented by Almacy Pitia on Monday 2nd July 2012.                   

• Guild President launches opening of urinary shelter 
• A computer breakdown scares students
• Y.C.S. MDD festival competitions held 
• A farmer out competes a teacher

The news in detail:

The college administration's completion of a newly constructed urinary shelter at Unity Hall was very well done and appreciated by the Governor and the citzens of Unity Hall state.

His Highness the Governor of Unity state; Angelo Chan Mavenge, organised for an official launching of the shelter by the Guild President.  Before the function, the governor issued a decree urging all the commissioners to turn up for general cleaning of the compound, in which the Guild President and the Compound Manager joined them.

During the function, the Governor gave a remarkable speech urging all the citizens of Unity Hall to thank the college administration for the good work done.  One of the Commissioners of Unity State, Mr Odiongo Paul, commented that they have now got what they wanted, since most of them were colliding with a mango tree during the rush hours of 4:oo am to visit the urinary shelters at Wisdom Hall.  

However the Guild President, in his speech, emphasised that all the citizens of Unity and Wisdom Hall should take full responsibility in maintaining the shelter since his dream had been fulfilled by the college administration.  Some citizens commented that if this is the spirit of His Excellency the President and the Governor, their wish is that they would continue in the government until the end of the year.

The function was closed by a Lopit traditional dance organised by Unity Hall citizens.

• A computer breakdown scares students

Presented by Mr. Hyena

Well it was on Tuesday 26^th June at 4:00pm East African standard time, that a computer lesson was conducted for the year two B’S.

The students turned up for the lesson, but unfortunately the ICT tutor was not present.  Shortly after one of the students turned on the power switch, a power saver in one of the computers began burning.  The student who was operating the particular computer didn’t realise that the power saver was burning due to their lack of technological knowledge.  However the Minister for Power and Energy; Hon. Baba Michael, realised that a bad smell was being produced by one of the computers and alerted all the students of danger.  Immediately the Guild President, who is a historian and a man of the people, announced loudly that people should “run out to save your lives”!

The result was such that the door became narrow like the eye of a needle, as the students attempted to pass through.  Later the tutor on duty intervened and ordered the Minister of Power and Energy to disconnect the computer and remove the bad smelling power saver to the separate ICT room.

The Hon. Baba Michael commented that “the incident occurred due to damage in one of the power savers.  This information had been passed to me by the ICT tutor, however due to lack of time I was not able to tell the students since I was preparing for the forthcoming debate between YTTC and Yei Public S.S.  I realised that one of the computers was producing a bad smell so I told one of the students to turn off the main switch reminding them that if they inhale the smoke it may have an effect on their health.  On hearing that, the students did not bother to turn the switch off, but immediately left the room in a hurry.  One of the journalists hid under the table where he had been trying to collect data from a computer.   I then tried to turn off the main switch to disconnect the computers and when I called the students back some of them explained they’d rushed to their dormitories for safety because “it’s better to meet death without seeing it, than seeing it coming towards you”.

Hyena explained why a journalist was hiding under the table instead of collecting data.

“Well Almacy, due to congestion, he could not find a way out through the door.  Therefore he decided to hide under the table by the last computer, thinking that the burning of the computer is like the normal burning of grass during the dry season, when they go hunting as hyenas.

• Young Christian students' (Y.C.S.) MDD festival competition held

Presented by Ngota Charles

The 30^thJune 2012 was a remarkable day for young Christian students in Yei River County.  A Music, Drama and Dancing (MDD) festival competition was held, to which students of Yei Teacher Training College were also invited to attend.

The preparation for the occasion was a terrible time for some participants, because if they did not turn up for training in time, he or she would be sent back to his/her small village.

In a related story, some participants who were unable to sing well were sent back to their small villages by their trainer.  Among these were two tenors, one alto and three soprano singers.  Some of those remaining, who qualified for training, were faced with the serious challenge of having to learn the song and adjust their pitch for harmonising.  On Friday evening the director of music even addressed the participants saying “may you allow me to dismiss my only son because he is not paying attention”.

When each participant was asked to sing individually, the pressure caused some tenors voices to rise, while one of the bass singers alongside was unable to produce the low octave “doh” sound.  The director advised him to sing as a tenor in the future so that he could contribute to the correct voice group.

The event was witnessed by Florence who tells us more:

The Y.C.S. MDD festivals held at Christ the King on 30^th June 2012 was held under the theme “Reconciliation, Justice and Peace to Transform the Community”.  It was characterized by three major items, which included the singing of a common Y.C.S. song, drama and traditional dances. 

One of the expected schools did not turn up for the competition due to circumstances beyond their control, whilst Yei Girls S.S. performed as expected, providing a colourful event with cheerful faces.  In the drama, one of the ladies from Yei Girls S.S. pretended to be a man, which confused the whole gathering due to her clothes and acting. 

The neck and neck competition was judged by the Vicar General of Juba, the Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Nicholas Diri and the Director of Music at YTTC, Mr. Peter Rock.  The Commissioner of Yei River County, David Juma Augustine, addressed the gathering by honoring the teachers, emphasizing that ”Education is the major priority to develop our nation”.  He was quoted saying that what was required was ”not only academics but we need quality education”.  He further added that YTTC had never disappointed him.

Awards were given for the best performing schools, which emerged as Yei Girls S.S. with 207 points, followed by St. Joseph Lutaya S.S. with 205 points, St. Paul with 189 points and finally Yei Day with 164 points.

Three schools were awarded with trophies for their wonderful performances and Yei Day received a general award for their participation.  At this, the Commissioner commented that there was a need to build more girls secondary boarding schools in Yei River County since they were also the leaders in the marathon, which he officiated at Freedom Square the same day.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yei; His Lordship Erikulano Ladu Tombe, emphasised that what the church most needed to see was quality education.  He described the Commissioner as being the youngest Commissioner In the Republic of South Sudan, who needs much support from the nation’s citizens.  He was quoted saying “these are the kind of the people we are looking for”.

The occasion was closed with expressions of appreciation from both the Commissioner and the Bishop, by promising to pay 1,000ssp each after the festival, to support the Y.C.S. activities.  Finally, in the evening the director of music at Yei Teacher Training College provided the good news that he had received a call from Fr. Alex Lodiong; Y.C.S. Chaplain.  The chaplain had said YTTC is now fully registered for the forthcoming MDD festivals in Yei River County and he was expecting YTTC to take all the trophies for that coming year.           

• A farmer out competes a teacher

On Friday 30^th June 2012 the students of YTTC were convinced by a farmer in an interesting balloon debate.  The balloon debate was organised by the chairperson and the debate patron of YTTC, marking the first of its kind for students to enjoy at the college.

The debate was to decide which career is the best and kicked off with a selection of titles for the participants; among which were the teacher, lawyer, pastor, hunter, musician, and engineer.

In the first round of the balloon debate the hunter, pastor, musician and engineer were knocked out.  During the second half the lawyer; who is the Guild President, was accompanied by one of the Ministers as a bodyguard, but they both failed to convince the audience and were kicked off.

A head to head struggle ensued for the teacher; Her Excellency Kiden Alice Hope and a village farmer from Ommikuru village, both fighting for their rights in the community.

M R. Towongo, the villager, convinced the students by bringing real food to the debate room and told the students that food comes first before everything, adding that food even comes before studies.  This statement caused 99% of the students to vote him as the winner of the debate, with 147 votes.  

•    Social news

•    Political news

•    Civic education

For more information, visit us at our website: www.yeittc.org

           Edited by Almacy Pitia                  Published by Joseph Napoleon

Good morning listeners, welcome to Yei TTC compass news. I’m Hyena presenting, first the news headlines:

Hyena

1.  Year Two “A” prove champions on Wednesday.

2.  Elections are on progress.

3.  A stone crash occurred in Bishop Hall.

 Now the news in details:

It was on 18^th July 2012, at 5:00pm African standard time when a nice and enjoyable match was held between Year One and Year Two “A”. The match was officiated by three umpires from ACROSS Volleyball Association. During the first round of the match, Year Ones started by three nice strikes which made the moral boosters to celebrate and alert the Year Twos. Shortly the ball turned against Year Ones, making the Year Two “A” with 25 goals to 12 goals in the first round. On return to the second round, Year Two students increase their motion not even to allow any score but only faults. Alphonsio became the man of the match who was shouting with the members in classical Arabic for improvement. Lillian Joseph was to shed tears since she was the only talented volleyball player who did not wish to lose. General result of the match ended with 50 goals to 20 goals in favor of Year Two “A”. In an interview conducted by the media, a member in Year One revealed to the media that it was their own will to allow themselves to loose in order to campaign in the forthcoming elections for the Year Twos to vote them successfully.

Elections are on progress.

Following the nomination of candidates on 17^th July 2012, candidates were accompanied by their class members in large numbers for the registration. Ladies were yelling, ululating and sweeping the road for the contesting Guild presidents. Songs and joy filled the sky which made all the Year Two students and the staff to leave their work and come out to watch the candidates celebrating in the electorate door. Baby Temple was one of the newly registered citizens in Unity Hall Constituency 2 Room Numbers 12, who was overjoyed and jubilating in front of the candidates. However, a councilor in Wisdom Hall constituency Serial Number 2 by the names of Buga Moses Wenger hired a wheelbarrow and was driven to the registration center by pilot Maliyamungu, who claimed that it was their aeroplane. The pilot further said “in case one needs special hire, he/she should pay only 50 SSP to cover the distance from old site to new site. Finally, during their illegal campaign none of the candidates purchased biscuits for the citizens making one of the Year Two gentlemen to grow annoyed and bought biscuits for the students to enjoy reminiscing their last year’s campaign.

Monica Momo reporting.

After the official release of the shortlist for the successful candidates of 2012/2013 Guild Council, it was on Friday 20^th July 2012where students gathered in the Multipurpose Hall for open campaigns as permitted by the Electoral Commission YTTC, one week earlier as the announcement was made from the Electoral office about the amendment of the previous Constitution amongst which the mode of choosing leaders that left very many students in total confusion because the amendment act which explains that Guild President will be elected by the general students body but councilors will be elected by their members of the various constituencies. This confusion did not stop on the way but continued up to the open campaign where candidates were restricted to be questioned by the members of a particular constituency apart from the Guild President. This idea provoked one of the students to send a written question to the desk of the Electoral Commission that if questions are not allowed from other students does it mean that successful councilors will be working on the basis of their particular constituencies or for the general student body of YTTC? From there no reply was given. The candidates who were campaigning for different positions such as Guild President with 2 candidates, Constituency Number 1 with 12 candidates, Constituency Number 2 with 14 candidates, Constituency Number 3 with 4 candidates and Constituency Number 4 with 7 candidates, where two candidates were confirmed unopposed as governors from constituencies number 2 and 4. Hon. Biar Atem and Emmanuel Moro respectively in which the rest of the candidates are to continue convincing their voters for the political case which will be closed on July 23, 2012 with elections from 2:00pm.

Bro Cons reporting.

A stone crash occurred in Bishop Hall

Well, it was on 18^th July 2012 at 9:45pm after sitting for music test. Ladies were scared by a stone which was thrown on the roof of Bishop Hall. Some ladies entered under their beds while the Deputy Guild President made an alarm saying “wulululu what is happening in the College?” Her excellence Kiden Alice Hope went out pretending to go and call the watchman, and ended up going to her room due to fear. After 5 minutes, another heavy stone was thrown which made all the ladies in the room to develop heart attack increasing the temperature in the room resulting to serous sweating and loud echo produced for the watchman to rescue the situation. They thought it was a bomb which made one of the ladies from Room 10 to faint on the chair rolling herself unknowingly under her bed. Immediately, three of the hall members disappeared for almost three hours looking for survival before the watchman could arrive.

The watchman commented that Bishop Hall is at a risky position because of the structure of the fence behind the Hall; he further said that all the property should be kept inside. Ladies became counselors of themselves by saying going out at night for call should be in groups for security. They further commented that doors should be closed properly and others ended up by saying their doors are not having shutters which made one of the most fearful lady from Room 12 to piled more than three chairs in order to support their door. Finally, they whispered that “men are on safe side compared to ladies because of their short distance from the security guard.

By Sister Florence.

    Edited by Almacy Pitia.                             Published by sister Florence.

Good morning listeners, welcome to Yei TTC compass news. I’m Iddy presenting, first the news headlines:

  Iddy

1.  New Guild Council Sworn In.

2.  Catholic Churc holds Festival.

3. Teaching Practice Preparation Tedious .

 Now the news in details:

NEW   GUILD COUNCIL   SWORN IN

By King Iddy

The new Guild Council for the Year 2012/13 was successfully sworn in last Friday. In the function the Dean of Students Mr. Agoyi Deo, together with the Dean of the Cathedral put the new Council to power by swearing them in to execute duties without fear or favour.

During the function , the Debate and Journalism clubs were left out , but according to the Chief Editor, the Dean said that the two clubs were left out because of time and that their swearing in may be organised later.

The day was made vivid when the outgoing President who was represented by the Vice President Kiden Alice Hope who gave the last speech of their government. During her speech, she thanked the Administration for the entire support their government received which made their government successful. She said their achievements included drafting and approval of a new Guild Constitution, lobbying uniform for cooks, provision of security lights as part of their effort , formation of Journalism Club among others, However, she explained the challenges met by their government like lack of conducive office, poor dining hall, inadequate land for agriculture and so on.

She then referred these challenges to the new government to use them as a stepping stone into office where the incoming President Almarat Musa Almarat during his speech commented that, he gladly accepts the challenges because in leadership there are always challenges and assured the students that in his government, he is looking forward to marketing the College by co-curricular activities and that his government will climb the climax left by Mariconi`s government.

During the Guest of Honour`s speech, he praised YTTC for its brilliance and excellence and remarked that the new government should aim at embracing the spirit of team work for moving together and delegation of powers to influence efficient service delivery. He later expressed concern about the challenge of land for agriculture and asked the College Administration to at least secure a piece of land to enable the students produce more food.

However, the vividness of the ceremony was denied during meal time. According to the report received by the journalists, a good number of students missed food because of the heavy rains where cooks abandoned food on the table and the verandah. This later brought shortage of food which led to scrambles in the kitchen where a student ended up being poured with dirty water by one of the cooks because of the excessive force he used while others ended up eating the usual beans since meat was scarcely seen.

CATHOLIC   CHURCH   HOLDS   FESTIVAL

By Chandia Bravil

The Catholic Diocese of Yei on 8^th September 2012 held a music festival at Youth Gardens. The event brought five churches within Christ the King Zone which included Angelic Choir, Holy Cross, St. Paul and Bari Choir. It was held with the aim of bringing the spirit of togetherness among Catholic churches through songs, poems and drama. Angelic Choir emerged the best, with 250 points, followed by Bakita with 228, then Bari with 201, Holy Cross with 99 and St. Paul the least points of 96. So they were rewarded with gold, bronze and silver medals and Bibles respectively.

Peter Rock, the leader of the Angelic Choir did all the best to raise his group at the top of the competition through nice songs and drama.

Later the first class magistrate of Yei River County warned them not to use real objects like spears and knives in performing drama to avoid injuries and loss of lives.

For Yei TTC compass news, I’m Chandia Brevil Reporting from Youth Gardens.

TEACHING PRACTICE PREPARATION TEDIOUS

By Sinara Roselyn

The final preparation for Teaching Practice (TP) for the Academic Year 2011/2012 have entered the second week of serious preparation on file arrangement, writing school profile and schemes of work which prepare them for the TP next month. Over one hundred and sixty students are going to take part in the ongoing TP preparation comprising of pre-service and the in- serve students group from Morobo county who are distributed equally among the schools within Yei Town Payam.

According to the students, although the preparation is going on well, they are encountering challenges such as bulk work with a short time, some said finance for purchase of materials, also the Guild Ministers following them to do communal work and schemes of work approval where they at times go up to three times before final copy is approved.

They further told campus news desk that most of them have limited time these days, as a result they have no time to eat, bath and do other things apart from scheming.

Also , the in-serve group are complaining that after the approval the fair copy of the schemes of work, they don’t see some of these fair copies so that they can copy for their final approval, that means some students hide these copies and release after they have finished copying.

A student reported to a campus news journalist that a Year 2 student who had given his progress charts to one of the Year 1s to be copied had forgotten the exact student he has given his progress chart to. The Year 2s asked the College Administration to put the newly installed generator to use so as to extend light up to morning to ease the pressure from them.

A student teacher got scared of the topics given to him. This happened on Friday morning when the Year 2’s were sent to pick topics for their School Practice. On receiving the topics given to him on Geometry, the student became scared.

According to our observers in the Year 2 class, the student teacher saw one of the toughest topics he is suffering from in class as one of the topics he is going to teach.

The reporter said that when the teacher saw the topic, he rapidly sweated as if a basin of water was poured on him and the papers fell down from his hands.

He further said, the student teacher was later comforted by a friend who instilled in him belief but the upcoming teacher remained worried since he is going to teach Primary 6 who are likely to mount him a challenge if he messes in the class.

       Edited by King Iddy.                       Published by Baibai Moses.