JUBA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Norway has increased funding toward the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support education of underprivileged children in South Sudan.

UNICEF said in a statement on Friday in Juba that 60,000 children in South Sudan will be provided learning opportunities as a result of increased funding from the Norwegian government to the Back to Learning initiative.

It said Norway agreed to provide an additional funding of about 5 million U.S dollars to keep thousands of South Sudanese children in school.

Lars Andersen, Norwegian ambassador to South Sudan, said education, particularly for young girls, is a crucial element in supporting lasting peace.

"The Back to Learning initiative has provided education to tens of thousands of out-of-school children and we are very happy to support its further expansion," he said.

Michael Lopuke, undersecretary at South Sudan's Ministry of General Education and Instruction, lauded Norwegian government for their continued support of education, noting that his childhood classroom was built with Norwegian assistance.

Lopuke expressed hope that the funds would benefit some of the most deprived children across the country who lack access to education, despite the efforts of the government, national and international non-governmental organizations.

"The Back to Learning program has brought education to children who would otherwise miss out on this vital resource for their future and the future of the country," said Andrea Suley, a UNICEF official.

Back to Learning was launched in February 2015 as a flagship program to bring out-of-school children to the classroom. Enditem

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