Authorities in Eastern Equatoria’s Kapoeta North County have formulated bylaws to punish parents who fail to enroll their children in schools.
This is in a bit to improve school enrollment in the area this year.
The County Commissioner, Emmanuel Lolimo says, parents who will fail to register a child in school will face a fine of up to 10,000 South Sudanese Pounds and a cow.
While those who will refuse to pay school fees for their children will be made to pay in kind or have a cow taken away forcefully.
Commissioner Lolimo also warns that parents who will remove a child from school with the intention of marrying them off will be sent to jail.
“The community has been charged to cooperate with the authorities, especially in reporting cases of forced marriage. If there is a case of forced marriage, the parent will be imprisoned and the child taken to school.”
“They (the community) participated (in formulating the bylaws) and they are going to sign the bylaws before they come to effect on the 30th of this month (September).
The new rule will come into force at the end of this month once they are signed by community leaders.
“I am only going to be a witness,” the county official said.