South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Mayak Majak Madit Tokjok
The State Minister for General Education and Instruction, Nelson Makoi Makur, launched the Girls’ Cash Transfer Program in Rumbek on Monday.
During the launch, Makur expressed gratitude to the donors, including Cooperative Bank, which leads the agencies supporting girls’ education in South Sudan under the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) initiative.
The minister explained that the program offers annual payments to all adolescent girls in upper classes and encouraged beneficiaries to report any individuals involved in malpractice or attempts to withhold money intended for them.
“The state government is actively combating corruption, and the accurate data on learners eligible for the Girls’ Cash Transfer should be based on the enrollment validation conducted from March to May. This enrollment specifically covers two classes in primary school: the Accelerated Learning Program for Level Four, Primary Eight, and Class Seven” he said
Makur expressed gratitude to the teachers for their commitment to delivering quality education to learners despite the challenging circumstances of not receiving salaries across the country.
Victoria Ayen Majok Deng, the State Anchor Team Leader for Windle Trust, reported that 10,000 learners across 251 schools—including boys with disabilities in both primary and secondary schools—have benefited from the Girls’ Cash Transfer.
Deng further explained that the funds are intended for girls to use at their discretion, including for sanitary kits, shoes, and other necessities to encourage them to remain in school and promote girls’ education.
She urged the recipients of the funds to report anyone who attempts to deduct from their amount.
Additionally, she stressed that the money allocated for girls should not be used by parents at home. The amount designated for Primary Eight is SSP 166,000, while SSP 129,000 is allocated for Primary Seven, which is also the same amount for girls in secondary school.
In conclusion, Deng highlighted that the education partners supporting the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) programme include the governments of UKaid, Canada, the European Union, Sweden, and the Norwegian Embassy.
She noted that the payment team in the state is dedicated to ensuring thorough screening of cash transfer enrollment forms, as some girls may be recruited and provided with forms as outsiders.
On Monday, the Lakes State Minister of General Education and Instruction, along with education managers, senior directors from the Ministry Headquarters, payment teams, school supervisors, and head teachers from various schools, attended the official launch of the Girls’ Cash Transfer Programme at Rumbek Girls Primary School.
