Second Round of GESS Cash Transfers to Support Girls’ Education During COVID-19

The second round of Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) 2020 Cash Transfers is scheduled to begin on 23^rd November 2020. This money will aid girls in candidate classes ahead of their examinations in 2021. It will also support thousands of girls across the country who remain out of school, encouraging them to continue learning at home until schools fully reopen.

Cash transfers are one of the most effective ways to support people during a crisis. In addition to replacing lost income due to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, they can lessen financial burdens and enable girls to meet their health and education needs, such as, uniforms, face masks, school shoes, bags, sanitary towels and stationery.

GESS Team Leader, Akuja de Garang, said, “By providing the girls with the Cash Transfers, even those not at school, we hope to inspire them to continue to learn, remain hopeful during this difficult time and incentivise them to reenrol in school when they fully reopen.”

Over 400,000 girls – between Primary 5 and Senior 4 – across the country have been approved to receive the second round of GESS Cash Transfers. Only those validated between October and November this year are approved to receive the money.

Girl from Salaam Secondary School in Juba at Cash Transfer Validation exercise earlier in November

Girls in candidate classes – Primary 8 and Senior 4 – will receive SSP 8,250. Girls in classes Primary 5, Primary 6, Primary 7 and Senior 1, Senior 2 and Senior 3 will receive SSP 5,500. Girls must receive their funds in person. Girls who will not report to school at the time of payment will not receive their Cash Transfers.

Girls who have been approved for payment should receive the full amount of their Cash Transfer with no deductions. Any attempt to take funds away from the girls, whether by teachers, officials, police, or anyone else, is an offence, and will be dealt with accordingly.

We advise parents and guardians to accompany their girls to guarantee that they receive the correct amount and to ensure their safety when traveling home after the payment. Girls are also advised to travel home in groups of three or more.

It is important to report any misappropriation of funds or threats to safety during the Cash Transfer process. This may include:

• Reduction of money during the payment process
• Replacement of girls who are absent during payment
• Issuing CTEFs to girls who are not the correct owner

To report misappropriation, or if you have any queries, please contact one of the hotline numbers below:

1. MTN +211 928 520 824
2. Zain +211 917 647 891

This payment is expected to be more challenging due to the physical distancing restrictions and important hygiene measures put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring good sanitation practices and physical distancing during the payments is of paramount importance.

Please follow the Ministry of Health approved COVID-19 safety measures, including hand sanitation and physical distancing to ensure the safety of all those involved in the process. For more information on COVID-19 call the toll-free number 6666 in South Sudan.

Categorised in: Cash Transfers, Girls' Education