Increased enrolment due to improved learning facilities and better school management- the GESS capitation grants and the school management training interventions.

Venus Star High School is a community school located on the outskirts of Juba County in South Sudan. The school has undergone a remarkable transformation through the support of the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) programme. Established in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, the school aimed to provide accessible education in Luri Payam, where few schools existed, reducing long distances covered by learners. Initially, the school struggled with inadequate resources, lack of external support, and the absence of a functional Board of Governors (BoG) until the intervention of the Girls’
Education South Sudan (GESS) activities.

Throughout the duration of the second phase of the Programme, GESS has fronted a combined approach using different interventions to address the economic and social barriers that stop girls and children with disabilities from attending school and learning. One such intervention is the capitation grants to public and community-run schools that do not charge high fees. The capitation grants are meant for schools to afford the operational costs and minor maintenance to improve the quality of learning. Schools have also been supported through capacity building to school management bodies
which oversee the development of the school.

Venus Star High School before completion

In 2023, Venus Star High School received 6 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) (approx USD 3,780) in capitation grants. This funding facilitated the construction of essential infrastructure, including a girls’ washroom and accessible toilets for learners with disabilities. Additionally, a generator was procured to provide electricity for school activities, significantly enhancing the learning environment.

By February 2024, another capitation grants of 6,558,020 SSP (approx $ 4,131) was released, enabling further development at the school. The BoG prioritised resource allocation, purchasing 150 bags of cement to complete the plastering of three classrooms. “We have decided to construct these classrooms to accommodate more students, as demand for education in our locality continues to grow but schools are not many,” stated the Head Teacher Jomo Thiak.

School block completed

The expansion of the school resulted in an increase in student enrolment from 500 in 2023 (305 females, 195 males) to 800 in 2024 (347 females, 453 males). The additional classrooms not only eased congestion but also attracted more students from the community, reaffirming the school’s commitment to accessible and quality education.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, Venus Star High School benefited from theschool governance training offered by the Programme. The training, facilitated by GESS trainers and school officers, covered crucial areas such as budgeting, resource mobilisation, disability-sensitive planning, and financial accountability.

Previously, the school did not fully appreciate the role of the BoG in school management. “We had no idea about the important role the BoG plays in school affairs. We struggled with planning and resource mobilisation,” admitted Head Teacher Mr. Thiak. He adds, “With the training, the BoG became proactive in overseeing expenditures, ensuring complete accountability, and enabling the school to qualify for additional funding.”

The training outcomes were evident in the school’s ability to mobilise resources effectively. The BoG engaged with the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the broader community to purchase some local materials such as poles, timber, bamboo, nails, and iron sheets. With these contributions, three additional classrooms were built, although financial constraints temporarily halted progress. However, the timely release of capitation grants in 2024 allowed the school to complete the project.

The BoG comprises 13 members, including student representatives in the Head girl and Head boy of the school who sit on the committee to be the voice of students. The inclusion of the student representatives in governance, particularly through the participation of the Head Boy and Head Girl in the BoG, further strengthened school management. Initially hesitant about the training, the Head Boy expressed his satisfaction: “At first, I didn’t want to participate because the training sessions interfered with class hours. But when our voices were recognised, I felt valued. Now, we no longer sit in dark, congested classrooms. The management also organises meetings at convenient times for us all,”

Beyond infrastructure, the school management utilised part of the capitation grants for additional developments, including installing a lighting system in all 11 classrooms, painting six classrooms, and purchasing 20 desks, two computers, 50 reference textbooks, and a bookshelf. These investments significantly improved the learning experience for students.

With the expansion of classrooms and improved governance, Venus Star High School has become a model institution in the state, demonstrating how effective management and financial support can transform a school. The Chairperson, of the Board of Governors, Mr. James Magoth Ater, emphasised the impact: “I am always in the school, and I have seen how much it has improved. My son studies here, and I now witness students learning in a better environment.”

Capitation grants as part of the broader GESS and the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI) initiatives have played a vital role in improving access and quality of education across South Sudan. By reducing registration fees, these grants alleviate the financial burden on parents, encouraging more families to send their children—girls and boys—to school. Moreover, the funding supports inclusive education, enabling schools to develop appropriate facilities for children with disabilities. The GESS programme pays capitation grants to secondary schools whilst MoGEI pays capitation grants to primary schools.

Venus Star High School is a testament to the power of strategic investment in education. The BoG, in collaboration with the PTA and the wider community, continues to seek further improvements. As Chairperson Mr Ater stated, “We extend our deepest gratitude to GESS and GRSS/MoGEI for their continued support. Our school is now a beacon of progress, and we hope this support will continue.”

Through sustained funding, governance training, and community involvement, Venus Star High School is not only addressing the immediate challenges of education access but also paving the way for a brighter future for South Sudan’s learners.

By providing funding to secondary schools, GESS is helping to improve the quality of education by increasing the number of resources available to the school. Capitation grants also contribute to alleviating the burden of registration fees for learners and parents, reducing the cost of education, and encouraging families to send their children—girls and boys— to school. These investments also offer the opportunity for schools to develop appropriate and contextual inclusive initiatives for children with disabilities.

The GESS programme receives funding 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 Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Read about GESS capitation grants here: https://girlseducationsouthsudan.org/activity/capitation-grants/

Categorised in: Capitation Grants, Girls' Education, Human Interest Story, Quality Education