Up to 69 schools in Yei River County of central Equatoria state on Monday received Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) program cash transfers intended to support girls’ education in the country.
The money will be given to girls from primary 1 to 7 and from senior 1 to 4.
Each primary school girl will receive 5,600 South Sudanese pounds (SSP), while the girls in candidate classes, primary 8 and senior 4, will get 8,400 SSP each.
Emmanuel Sebit, the Yei River County education director, described the cash transfer as a big achievement that will encourage more girls to complete their education.
“In Yei, we now have a total number of 69 schools that will be getting this cash transfer and a total of 5000 girls will be benefiting,” Sebit said. “I think this is a very big achievement although this money is not enough, it will help these small girls to buy things that can facilitate their education.”
Meanwhile, county commissioner Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa warned parents and the girls against misusing the money on things that are not related to education.
“Go and tell your parents that the commissioner said that if the money given by GESS is used for smoking, for drinking, then they are my worst enemies,” Commissioner Kanyikwa warned. “If the money given by GESS is used for drinking waragi in the bars, he is the worst enemy to Yei and worst enemy to the people of South Sudan.”
Speaking to Radio Tamajuj, some of the beneficiaries expressed happiness and appreciated the support towards girls’ education in the country with some appealing that the support continues.
Jane Khamis, a secondary school student said, “I thank the government of South Sudan for organizing such programs to keep girls in school and my appeal is for them to continue with this program to encourage my sisters who are still behind.”
Another beneficiary, Beatrice Martin, 16, said was happy to receive the money because it will help her buy necessities when their parents have no money.
“I am proud of this money because it will help me in different ways. I will use it to buy sanitary towels, soap, and scholastic materials when my parents do not have money.”
Kiden Rose, a primary school pupil said, “I advise the girls to buy what they do have, things like scholastic materials.”