How Collo’s Selfish Education Negatively Affects Society

BY Jwothab Othow

May 16, 2025

Collo society must reject the destructive internal competition driven by self-interest; otherwise, it will undermine our collective well-being. Collo is facing with external threats in South Sudan aiming to eradicate Collo from their ancestral lands; we must stand united for survival. This is a matter of collective survival demanding unified defense against these external forces. Using our education for selfish gain and societal destruction is morally reprehensible. Collo’s education attainment has become dangerously self-serving, threatening our very existence. Sadly, earlier generations of Collo educators hoarded educational opportunities, prioritizing personal benefit over societal advancement. Witnessing certain societal behaviors inspired me to write this article, urging people to utilize their education for the betterment of society rather than personal gain. My view may be unpopular, but it’s my opinion and I’m not seeking everyone’s concurrence.

For example, genesis of Collo’s internal conflict stems from the selfishness of its first educated generation. They benefited from missionary education but hoarded its advantages, refusing to help those from less educated families. This created resentment among later generations, who now struggle to access education on their own and are less inclined to contribute to Collo society, a consequence of the initial generation’s greed and failure to uplift the less fortunate. This selfishness explains Collo’s underdevelopment, despite its early exposure to the outside world. Their lack of interest in Collo’s progress hindered its growth. Has Collo society lost its sense of collective identity and the need for unified defense, especially now facing existential threats? Collo needs to reassess its internal conflicts within the context of South Sudan’s ongoing turmoil. Harmful political infighting must cease; it only hurts Collo as a whole. Such negative competition benefits no one; only Collo society will suffer.

Collo’s education prioritizes individual gain over societal benefit. Many Collo intellectuals focus on personal advancement rather than community contribution. This explains why some intellectuals and warlords readily betray Collo’s interests for personal gain. While education is a powerful tool for social and economic change benefiting both individuals and communities, some greedy Collo intellectuals prioritize self-interest over community improvement. Education’s fundamental purpose is to serve both individual and societal needs. Collo’s education should foster values like respect, honesty, and compassion. Education alone doesn’t guarantee good character; some Collo intellectuals boast of achievements while failing to contribute to their communities. Education without morality can be disastrous, as Collo society demonstrates. We must ensure Collo’s educated populace is moral individuals using their knowledge for the community’s good. With the emergence of new social media, we have observed some Collo insulting other Collo on their platforms. The level of abuse on social media is unbelievable. Senseless negative competition amongst Collo intellectuals is fracturing Collo society and undermining its sense of collective identity.

Collo society, traditionally egalitarian and valuing fairness and equal opportunity for all, regardless of status or gender, have shifted. Its founders believed in the equal worth and dignity of every person. While initially promoting equal access to basic rights, Collo society has become increasingly individualistic, neglecting the common good. Contemporary Collo educators must prioritize not just personal gain, but also societal issues affecting their community. We have a moral duty to our collective well-being, understanding the world to make decisions benefiting all, not just ourselves. The rise of selfish education, focused solely on personal ambition, is destroying Collo society. This shift from our egalitarian roots towards individualism and selfishness undermines the common good. This selfish education breeds destructive competition, harming society. Educational achievement now dictates social status in a materialistic Collo, where selfishness is pervasive.

Self-serving intellectuals and elites have contributed to several negative consequences in Collo society, hindering its progress. The current intellectual community in Collo society shows little interest in the common good, prioritizing personal ambition over shared goals and Collo’s collective interests. For instance, some early Collo generations, beneficiaries of missionary education (established in 1906), showed no interest in sharing its benefits. They didn’t encourage villagers to educate their children, even refusing to help those who sought it. These selfish Collo elites, dismissing them as “Wad Jal-Pach,” even forbade their daughters from marrying uneducated men. Collo society, traditionally egalitarian, supported equality and fairness, ensuring equal rights and opportunities regardless of status or gender.

Its founders believed in the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. This commitment to equal access to basic rights has eroded; however, as Collo society has become increasingly individualistic, neglecting the common good. I believe Collo society must revive its egalitarian ideals, ensuring everyone has a chance at a better life, including education. Contemporary Collo educators must prioritize not only personal advancement but also societal issues impacting their community. We have a moral duty to collective well-being, requiring an understanding of the world around us to make decisions that benefit all, not just the self. The first generation educated by missionary’s often prioritized self-interest, neglecting others’ needs, a painful truth Collo society cannot ignore. Growing up in Piny Collo, I heard the saying, “Where were your parents when the church bell rang for missionary school”? The Sudan Council of Churches frequently limited scholarship opportunities to the children of elites, excluding children from less privileged Collo families, both before and after the 1983 Sudanese civil war.

Today’s educated Collo generation prioritizes self-interest over community well-being. This stems from the neglect of earlier generations. The first Collo intellectuals, selfish, failed to support uneducated families in enrolling children in missionary schools, such as those established by the Verona Fathers in Upper Nile (now South Sudan) starting in 1901, or the American mission at Doleib Hill in 1902. While some villagers resisted schooling, the educated Collo elite didn’t effectively advocate for education’s benefits. Their greed prevented widespread access. While some exceptions existed, most Collo intellectuals, especially younger ones, are self-serving and unconcerned with the community’s welfare. They’re ambitious but lack a sense of social responsibility. Thankfully, a few exceptional individuals strive to make a difference, generously sharing their knowledge and support. Hopefully, Collo society will continue to foster such selfless leaders for a brighter future.

Today’s generation, despite their education, often prioritizes self-interest over community needs. This stems from the long-standing neglect of some earlier Collo intellectuals, who selfishly failed to help less fortunate children access missionary schools. For example, Verona's Fathers established schools in South Sudan’s Upper Nile in 1901, expanding to Detwork and Lul later. An American mission opened a school on Dolieb Hill in 1902.Collo Villagers may have been reluctant to enroll their children in school. However, the first generation of Collo educated in these schools failed to effectively communicate education’s benefits to their communities. Their greed and self-interest effectively monopolized opportunities. It’s important to note, however, that not all Collo intellectuals were self-serving; some dedicated themselves to helping underprivileged children get an education. Collo’s escape from poverty hinges on overcoming internal issues like envy, selfishness, pride, arrogance, and boastfulness. United, we can build the Collo Kingdom. Sadly, pride tied to education harms Collo society; this self-serving approach hinders progress. Some educators exploit their achievements for personal gain – pride and boasting – tainting the very concept of Collo education. Young Collo generations resent their elders—the first generation of Collo educators—for failing to support the children of uneducated villagers. This resentment significantly impacts Collo society. Current generations feel alienated, prioritizing self-interest over the common good.

Selfish behavior, ingrained in Collo’s first generation of educated leaders, has fractured Collo society, causing significant damage. Prioritizing individual interests over the community well-being undermines social trust and cohesion, transforming Collo into an individualistic society. Collo must reject an education that breeds selfishness and fails to foster community contribution. Today’s young Collo intellectuals, arguably worse than their predecessors, further prioritize self-interest, ignoring community needs. It is essential for Collo to be collaborative with themselves and foster open and respectful dialogue, where they can exchange knowledge, and sharing goals in how to help leverage Collo’s situation they are facing in South Sudan such as security challenges, economic hardship and stability in the Collo Kingdom. If Collo want to make progress and develop the Collo Kingdom, Collo must relinquish their unproductive negative competition which is driven by their greediness and selfishness within Collo and embrace working together for common good above the individual interest. The greed cultivated by the first generation now harms Collo. Promoting values that prioritize community well-being is crucial, achieved through education, community building, and cooperative values. Building community requires shared responsibility, fostering a sense of belonging and collaborative action toward shared goals. This is the only path forward for Collo.

To conclude, the inherent human tendency toward self-interest can become a serious problem when it evolves into unchecked selfishness and greed, especially when combined with intelligence; this combination poses a substantial threat to the common good and overall well-being of society. Intellectual selfishness and greed unless these behaviors change threatens Collo society’s common good. If we utilize the remarkable achievements, skills, and experiences of Collo education to advance our community, there is no reason for Piny Collo to remain underdeveloped. Ethical considerations are crucial within Collo intellectual circles, and social reform must foster a balance between individual and collective well-being. Balancing individual needs with the common good is crucial for a healthy society. By prioritizing the empowerment of rural communities and addressing their most pressing concerns, we can utilize our education to build a stronger kingdom. May God bless the Collo Kingdom!

Best regards,

Jwothab Othow