Awut Deng Acuil, the Minister of General Education and Instruction speaks to the press in Juba on 21st Jan. 2022. Photo: Charles Wote/Eye Radio.

The Minister of General Education says the Ministry of Finance has released one billion South Sudanese pounds in capitation grant meant to support free education in the country.

The grant will channeled to public primary and secondary schools.

The announcement comes two weeks after President Kiir ordered national and states authorities to fully implement the policy as stipulated in the interim constitution.

The order issued on February 6, directed the national Ministry of Finance to immediately release the capitation grant.

Speaking to journalists in Juba on Thursday, Education Minister Awut Deng Achuil confirmed the partial release of the grant.

She says the cash to support the operational costs, will be sent directly to public primary and secondary school bank accounts.

Minister Awut has cautioned schools against collecting any fees from the learners.

“All recipient public schools of the grant must not request parents to pay for registration of children or any other payments,” she said.

The education official added that the schools entitled to the capitation grant must present accountability report to the relevant authorities.

She warned that in the case of failure to comply, the school will be denied further capitation grant.