GESS 2025 Cash Transfer Payments Begin 22nd October

The Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) 2025 cash transfer commenced on 22nd October 2025. This year’s cash transfers will support:

• Girls currently enrolled and regularly attending classes from Primary 7 to Senior 4
• Girls enrolled in Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) Level 4
• Boys with disabilities in Primary 7 to Senior 4, and those in ALP Level 4

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

Since its inception, GESS cash transfers have empowered girls and boys with disabilities across South Sudan to access and complete primary education and transition to secondary school by easing the financial burden on families. By 2024, over 1.2 million learners had benefited from more than 2.7 million payments.

In 2025, approximately 230,900 validated learners in eligible classes are set to receive cash transfers.

Significant progress has been made in achieving gender parity in primary education, with over 100,000 girls now enrolled in secondary school—three times the number when GESS began in 2014. Today, nearly as many girls as boys are enrolled in primary schools.

Building on this success, GESS has, since last year, focused its support on girls and boys with disabilities in upper primary and secondary levels. This shift addresses the unique challenges faced by older girls transitioning to secondary school and the persistent societal barriers to education for children with disabilities.

“We’ve seen remarkable improvements in girls’ enrolment in Primary 5 and 6, with some areas reporting more girls than boys. However, data shows that learners in Primary 7, especially girls and those with disabilities, still face challenges transitioning to secondary school. In the context of reduced funding, it became necessary to focus support where it’s most needed. We remain hopeful that this targeted approach will sustain and build upon the gains made so far,”

— Daniel Gesaka, GESS Team Leader

To help cover the costs associated with final examinations, learners in candidate classes (Primary 8, ALP Level 4, and Senior 4) will receive SSP 166,000, while those in non-candidate classes (Primary 7 and Senior 1–3) will receive SSP 129,000. All boys with disabilities in eligible classes will receive the same amounts as their female peers.

GESS maintains a zero-tolerance policy on the misappropriation of funds. We urge all stakeholders—parents, guardians, and learners—to report any irregularities or safeguarding concerns during the payment process, including:

• Reduction of the cash amount during payment
• Replacement of eligible learners who are absent
• Issuing CTEFs to individuals who are not the rightful recipients

Important Reminders:

• All eligible learners must present their white copy of the Cash Transfer Enrolment Form (CTEF) at the payment point. Only those with valid CTEFs will be paid.
• Parents or guardians are encouraged to accompany children under 18 and learners with disabilities to ensure they receive the correct amount.
• Learners are advised to travel in groups of three or more for safety.
• To report any issues or concerns, please call or send an SMS to our confidential helpline numbers listed below:

ZAIN: +211 917 647 891

MTN (WhatsApp): +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 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

251029 GESS Pays Cash Transfers to Girls and Boys with Disabilities

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