TLS Establishment: Minimum guidelines for UNICEF South Sudan

Context/Background:

Since the outbreak of the conflict in December 2013, a number of the general population has been
displaced to areas where there is no social service delivery, including educational structures. In some
locations, school buildings have been destroyed. In response to such a situation where there is need to
ensure continuity of learning is critical as well as for learning spaces to serve as safe and protective sites,
the establishment of temporary learning spaces (TLS) has been at the centre of UNICEF’s work to date.
Hence, it’s from this basis that UNICEF notes the significant amount of resources spent on TLS
establishments, and provides guidance to implementing partners in terms of the process of going about
it (This note to be read in conjunction with: Temporary Learning Spaces – Basic Design and Construction
Guidelines, December 2017.)

Factors to consider before setting up a TLS

a) TLS should be set -up in IDPs and highest populated areas in existing TLS/Schools with
consideration of available infrastructure and– schools under trees or open -air.
b) TLS should be established in remote areas where no infrastructure exists.
c) Accessibility and Safety: due to the large scale of needs and the limited resources available,
priority shall be assigned to those schools with easy accessibility.
d) Distance to available existing schools in the areas – (not more than 1km).
e) For Temporary settlement (3 months periods) – e.g. cattle camps, displaced community –
establishment of Low-cost TLS should be considered e.g. UNICEF Tent or local materials
f) TLs site must be at the centre or close to where the community lives, so that children, girls in
particular, are safe on their way to and from schools. Community involvement/Local Authority
for appropriate site selection and participation is of paramount importance e.g. - Suitable
Locations, Ownerships.
g) Availability of teachers (Minimum 4 teachers, 1 female).
h) Topography - Local geographic conditions must be considered during the site selection and
avoiding locations that are vulnerable to natural disasters like flooding, landslides, bush fires,
etc. Local communities must be consulted before any decisions are made.
i) The site must be free of land mines, UXOs, livestock, broken glass, stagnant waste or open
defecation
j) Conflict Sensitive Analysis: Do-no-harm approach

Other considerations
 Site selection:

- Assessment of potential TLS to decide whether to do a TLS or rehabilitate existing classrooms in

the area
- If there are no existing structures, TLS establishment can proceed.
- Consultations should also be done with local community/authority to avoid any potential
dispute on the placement of TLS structures.
 - Local participation. Where possible, local communities need to contribute local materials and
labor towards the establishment of the TLS to enhance ownership.

 Choice of TLS design:

- TLS designs would be different for the three greater regions; GUN, Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazel.
- For GUN, its recommended that TLS roofs be iron sheets as well as the walls (halfway) and a
wire mesh for the remaining half from midway up to allow for air circulation. The iron sheet
walls is preferred to the mudded ones due to the bad soil type in the region and safety
considerations.
- For Western Equatoria, similar roof with the walls either bricks or timber (plenty in the area)
- Use of the cluster provided guidelines for the technical design/shapes
- Urban versus Remote areas
- To be read in conjunction with: Temporary Learning Spaces – Basic Design and Construction
Guidelines, December 2017.

New TLS versus Rehabilitation of permanent structures

- Cost analysis to be done to determine if the cost of setting up a new TLS is not very high. If the cost
is close to or slightly higher than the cost of establishing a new TLS, then rehabilitation should be
prioritised.

Other Components of TLS

- It was agreed that cementing of TLS floor would be very expensive, so partners should consider
smearing with soil or cow dung or any other local material that doesn’t involve a lot of cost
- Where possible, benches for TLS should be locally made from local materials. For TLS that are in
relatively urban centers, a cost for bench shouldn’t exceed $25 and in rural areas not exceeding
$15.

Cost of TLS establishment

- This point was not clearly agreed on due to the regional disparities. Generally, it’s cheaper to
establish a TLS in Equatoria than in the Upper Nile or Bahr el Ghazal region.
- From partners past experiences, the cost varies between; $5,000-10,000 without the benches in
the classrooms. As is a temporary learning space, it is temporary in nature.

Other points to consider

- It is noted that the significant costs of TLS are attributed to high transportation costs. Hence, it’s
suggested that partners working in similar locations can consider pulling resources to do joint
transportation
- It’s also pointed out that UNICEF already has some long-term agreements with some companies
(both transport and suppliers) and such would be recommended in case they are approached by
the partners.
- Consideration should also be given to adequate provision of WASH facilities, inclusive of hand-
washing and gender-segregated latrines.