GESS cash transfers boost girls’ schooling, ease family burden

WAU — Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS), a cash transfer initiative, is helping to alleviate the financial burden on parents while improving access to basic needs for learners in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Christian Peter, a primary eight pupil at Loko-Loko Primary School in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, has been receiving funds for two years.

She stated that the programme has allowed her to afford uniforms and pay school fees, thereby easing the financial strain on her parents.

“I used the money to buy exercise books, pay school fees, buy a school bag, and many other things,” Peter told journalists in Wau on Tuesday.

She noted that cash transfers also enhance girls’ access to education by reducing the costs of uniforms and learning materials, as well as combating dropout rates.

Last year, she received 155,000 South Sudanese pounds.

For over a decade, the GESS programme has been a beacon of hope and transformation in a country where education is often considered a luxury.

Since its inception in 2013, GESS has profoundly impacted the lives of many girls, their families, and the
broader community.

The programme has also assisted girls like Gufeya George, a primary eight pupil at Loko-Loko Primary School, by enabling her to afford school supplies and other essential items.

“I bought books, shoes, and clothes because we don’t have money to buy these things,” said George.

She commented that before the programme started, her parents frequently struggled to provide school supplies or cover essential educational expenses.

She emphasized the importance of sustaining the programme, noting that it allows students to attend school consistently and concentrate more on their studies.

“I want this programme to continue; it has helped many children go back to school,” she said.

Archangelo Thomas, headmaster of Loko-Loko Primary School, reported that enrollment has increased by 500 this year as a result of cash transfer programmes.

“This money is what keeps girls in school and boosts enrollment. If this programme stopped today, it would reduce the number of girls enrolled across the country,” said Thomas.

“Some of these children are orphans, but they continue coming to school because they receive money to meet their educational needs.”

Dalia Peter, a teacher at Loko-Loko Primary School, remarked, “The girls receive money every year. Since I arrived here, they have been receiving funds from primary five up to primary eight. However, since 2024, they only provide money for primary seven and primary eight.”

Ambassador David, the UK ambassador to South Sudan, stated that the GESS programme supports 1.5 million learners throughout the country.

“Together with partners including Canada, the EU, Norway, Sweden, and the US, we are proud to support over 1.5 million adults and children with disabilities to go to school and stay in school,” said David.

He noted that with limited resources, efforts are being made to prevent a decline in the number of girls transitioning from primary to secondary school.

“We need to ensure that support is available not only for children in accessible areas but also for those in rural regions.”

Joanne Minns, Canadian ambassador to South Sudan, urged the government to invest in education and health to improve the lives of its citizens.

“Donors can assist, but the sustainability of South Sudan and its future relies on the government’s ability to truly invest in its citizens; health and education are the most crucial areas for this,” said Minns.

Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative to South Sudan, stated that the programme aims to bring back 2.8 million students who dropped out due to conflict or economic hardship, encouraging enrollment at both primary and secondary levels.

“We can see the 2.8 million children who are out and returning to learning. That is the goal of this Back to Learning initiative,” said Skinner.

The Girls’ Education South Sudan cash transfers project aims to promote girls’ education in both primary and secondary schools, as well as for learners in level four of accelerated learning programmes and boys with disabilities.

The cash transfer programme, run by Girls’ Education South Sudan, is funded by the UK, Canada, the EU, USAID, Sweden, and Norway.

The programme targets girls in primary eight, girls in secondary four, and individuals with special needs.

Since 2014, one million girls have benefited from the programme, which seeks to reduce dropouts linked to poverty, early marriage, and cultural biases against females.