2023 Cash Transfers to Schoolgirls Commence!

The Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) 2023 cash transfer process will begin on November 6, 2023. This initiative is targeted towards girls who are currently enrolled in, and regularly attending, classes from Primary 5 to Senior 4. In an unprecedented move, girls enrolled in the GESS Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) in levels 3 and 4, will also be eligible to receive cash transfers.

The primary objective of the 2023 cash transfers is to support and empower girls across South Sudan in accessing and successfully completing their education by lifting the financial burden off parents and learners. It is estimated that these cash transfers will benefit more than 425,000 girls across the country.

By providing financial assistance directly to schoolgirls, cash transfers aim to reduce the financial barriers that often hinder their education, whilst also easing the burden on parents and guardians by making education more affordable. Schoolgirls are specifically targeted for these funds because they still face additional obstacles to education, such as early and forced marriages in exchange for bride price, an unfair distribution of household chores, and engagement in informal unpaid labour.

“The main thing I always use my money (cash transfers) for is buying sanitary pads. I buy enough pads for the whole school term so that I don’t miss school when I get my period (menstruation period),” Nidal, a learner in Light House Secondary School, Juba.

Girls in candidate classes – Primary 8 (P8) and Senior 4 (S4) – will receive SSP 32,000. This is to support them with the higher financial pressure associated with transition examinations. Girls in P5, P6 and P7 and S1, S2 and S3 will receive SSP 25,600. GESS has zero tolerance to misappropriation of funds. We, therefore, urge all stakeholders, parents, and learners to report any incidents of misappropriation of girls’ funds and safeguarding concerns or threats during the cash transfer payment process. This can include:

1. Reduction of money during the payment process.
2. Replacement of girls who are absent during payment.
3. Issuing CTEFs to girls who are not the correct owner.

All eligible girls should carry their copy of the Cash Transfer Enrolment (CTEF) form (the white copy) and present it during payment. Only girls with CTEFs will be paid.

We advise parents and guardians to accompany girls under the age of 18 to the payment point to guarantee that they receive the correct amount. Girls are also advised to travel home in groups of three or more. To report any cases, call our toll-free numbers below.

ZAIN +211 917 647 891

MTN +211 928 520 824

The GESS programme is funded through UK aid from the UK Government, the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, the European Union (EU), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Categorised in: Cash Transfers, GESS Events, Girls' Education, Human Interest Story