Some parents are complaining that their children have been asked by their schools to return money they were given as part of an initiative to promote girl-child education.

The money is paid to girls each year as an encouragement to the parents to keep the children at school.

The objective of the program, known as Girl Education in South Sudan, is to eliminate barriers to girls’ education and promote gender equality throughout the education system.

Last month, each girl in upper primary and secondary school in Juba was given 2,300 pounds as a yearly support to encourage girls to stay in school.

In Kapuki and Juba Model, some parents say their children were asked to return the money.

They say they were even threatened with dismissal. Others were told they would not be allowed to sit their end of year exams unless they returned the money.

“They say the head teacher was the one who told them that the money should be returned. If these people really want to help you, why are they asking the money back?” Asked a parent, who requested anonymity.

“My children came with a message that if they do not give back they will not finish,” said another parent.

‘Falsely accused’

However, the head teachers have denied the claims.

They say they have not received any complaints from parents on the matter.

“These children are lying. Nobody took their money. They are accusing us falsely; we did not deduct any amount from anyone,” said Sala Samson Ladu, deputy headmaster of Kapuki.

For her part, the headmistress for Juba Model, Suzi Siku Sati, told Eye Radio that “I do not know that somebody intimidated children to return money to the school”

“Whenever a child receives her money, they are free to take the money to their parents because the administration of the girl-education said that this is their money,” she told Eye Radio.

“Until today, I haven’t received any complaint that a child has been told to return the money to school.”

Ms Siku has confirmed that 42 girls did not receive their shares because the money was not enough.

The money is provided for by GESS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education with the aim of encouraging girls not to drop out.

The director for GESS, Akuja de Garang, said there would be no reason to recall the money.

In South Sudan, a girl can face many barriers when she wants to go to school: her family may not be able to pay for her education, or may think education for girls is not very important.

According to the project, a girl, once enrolled, may still not learn because teachers and school management are not trained very well.