GESS Cash Transfers Motivate Girls to Progress to Secondary Education

The number of girls benefiting from the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) cashtransfers has been increasing yearly in Akoka County of Upper Nile State. Similarly,the number of girls sitting for the Certificate of Primary Examinations (CPE) and progressing to secondary education has been increasing significantly.

In 2016, Akoka County registered 10 girls as candidates for the Certificate of PrimaryExamination (CPE) while this year 2024, the County registered 55 girls! This increase is significant in Akoka County given the challenges girls go through such as negative cultural beliefs and attitudes towards their education.

This gain in the enrolment of girls and progression to complete primary education, amonagst other partner contributions,  is majorly attributed to the GESS cash transfers and the community mobilization activities that address negative attitudes towards girls’ education. The cash transfers are money given to girls across South Sudan to lift the financial burden of education from parents. Since the commencement of the Programme in 2013, GESS has paid cash transfers to girls from primary five to secondary four. (In 2024 cash transfers have been paid to girls from primary seven to senior four, and for the first time, this year 2024, boys with disabilities from primary seven to senior four and the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP) levels three and four also benefitted from the cash transfers).

The shift in classes being paid from primary five to primary seven and above is due to the near-gender-parity achievement in primary schools, especially lower primary. The cash is part of the GESS activities which aims to increase enrolment, attendance, and transition of girls and boys with disabilities to secondary school, and to see girls gain at least 12 years of quality education.

In 2016, the only secondary school in Akoka had just seven girls enrolled. Over the years, efforts to improve access to education for girls have significantly boosted the transition from primary to secondary school in the County. In 2024 the school registered 609 learners (437M 172F). This growth reflects the community’s shifting attitudes toward girls’ education because of the community mobilization activities and the cash transfers which encouraged girls to remain in school.

Alam Monytur is a girl who faced several challenges concerning her education, but the cash transfers helped and motivated her to stay in school. Alam fell pregnant while at school and her family decided she could no longer go to school “When my parents realised that I was pregnant, they decided that I would not join school again. I should stay at home to take care of my child and get married later to a good man who would pay a dowry. With no option left, I had to stay at home,” Alam narrated.

Alam stayed at home for a year with no option to go to school, however, Alam’s mother saw an opportunity in the cash transfers that girls in the neighbourhood who were attending school received. Cash transfers have been known to help girls afford school enabling items, but also support families meet other financial needs. Alems’ mother therefore encouraged Alam to just register in school and stay at home to take care of her child so she could continue receiving the cash transfers, which would provide much-needed support for Alam and her child. Alam returned to school, motivated by the financial
assistance the cash transfer would provide.

However, when Alam registered at the school, she was told she could only receive the cash if she attended school. “I told my mother that I was told to attend classes otherwise I would not benefit from the money. Despite my mother’s initial reluctance, she agreed, and I began attending classes regularly and continued to benefit from the cash. I wanted to be in school badly, I did not know that the cash transfers would be the one motivating factor for my mum to see me attend
school again,” She adds.

Motivated by the cash transfers, Alam resumed her education and is now in her final year in secondary school ready to realise her dream of becoming a doctor. “I want to be a doctor when I complete my studies, and I can only achieve this when I am in school. Now I can see that this dream will come true,” Alam added smiling.

Alam’s story underscores the impact of cash transfers in helping girls overcome cultural and economic barriers, allowing them to continue their education and strive for a better future for themselves and their families.

To date, GESS has paid cash transfers to over one million girls across South Sudan.Find information about GESS cash transfer here Cash Transfers : Cash Transfers : Girls’ Education South Sudan

Categorised in: Cash Transfers, Girls' Education