Families in Wau town of South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state have complained of rising fees in primary and secondary schools amid low salaries.
Parents say they cannot afford to pay school fees and other living expenses in the current economic situation, and feared their children may drop out of school.
“I want my salary to be increased so I can pay school fees for my children,” said one mother. “My salary is only 227 and I have no house I am renting, what can I do?”
Pasquale Dotaki, principal of Bright future school, said the parents are the main supporters of private schools.
He noted the increase in school fees is meant to raise some teachers’ salaries, and said the increase took place after a series of meetings with the parents’ council.
Dotaki called upon the directors of private schools in the Ministry of Education to hold an urgent meeting to discuss a number of issues including school fees and the increase of private schools in the state.
Girls in Bentiu, South Sudan (UNMISS)