(JUBA) – A specialist in disability and inclusion with Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) has urged families to enrol children with special needs in school, highlighting that thousands remain at home despite support systems being available.
Lily Riko, a specialist working with the GESS programme, said that while over 20,000 children with disabilities are currently enrolled in schools across South Sudan, many others still lack access to education. She called on communities to support inclusive education and ensure that all children, regardless of disability, have a chance to learn.
According to Riko, learners with disabilities from Primary 7 up to Senior 4 are eligible to receive cash transfers once enrolled and regularly attending school. These funds are intended to support attendance and reduce drop-out rates, particularly among vulnerable learners.
“We encourage the public and communities to support children with disabilities to attend school regularly,” she said, noting that the initiative aims to eliminate education barriers that children with special needs often face.
David Malish, the Regional Field Monitoring Officer at GESS, also spoke about ongoing validation efforts aimed at identifying learners who qualify for the upcoming round of cash transfers. He urged communities to report any misuse of funds and to assist in ensuring the system remains accountable.
“To be validated, schools must submit accurate data, including verified attendance records and Term One exam results,” Malish explained. “As the validation continues, we encourage the public to report any mismanagement or related issues.”
He provided two official contact numbers where complaints can be reported. These include a WhatsApp enabled MTN line at +211-928-520-824 and a Zain number at +211-917-647-891.
GESS is a multi donor programme that supports inclusive education in South Sudan. It is funded by partners including the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, the United States and Sweden. Since its launch in 2014, the programme has helped remove barriers such as poverty and early or forced marriage, which have traditionally kept girls and other vulnerable groups out of school.
The impact of the GESS initiative has been significant. According to programme data, more than one million girls have received cash transfers, improving retention and educational performance. In a major development as of 2024, boys with disabilities have also begun to receive this support.
A simplified overview of GESS support can be found below:
| Category | Eligible Learners | Support Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Transfers | Girls (P7 – S4), Boys with Disabilities | Monthly support (SSP/USD) |
| Validation Requirement | All | Attendance + Exam Records |
| Reporting Misuse | Public Hotline | MTN: +211-928-520-824 (WhatsApp) |
The cash transfers are especially important in areas where poverty, gender norms, and disability have historically created major barriers to education. GESS hopes that by encouraging families to prioritise education for all children, communities across South Sudan can move toward a more inclusive and equitable future.