Central Equatoria schools ordered to use South Sudanese pounds
Schools in Central Equatoria State must charge fees in local currency or face closure, education ministry warns.
Central Equatoria State authorities have ordered all schools to collect tuition and related fees exclusively in South Sudanese pounds, effective from the 2027 academic year. The directive, issued by the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, aims to curb the practice of charging fees in foreign currencies like the US dollar.
Lupai Satimon Andrew, the caretaker Education Minister, stated that schools violating this order risk losing their operating licenses or facing closure. The ministry also cited concerns over exorbitant fees, poor management, inadequate learning environments, and insufficient lesson coverage as reasons for the new regulations.
The ministry also mandated that private school land in urban areas must measure 400 by 400 meters and that schools must adhere to official working hours, with classes starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. Institutions failing to meet these standards will not be permitted to operate in the state from 2027.
Why it mattersSchools in Central Equatoria State are being compelled to use South Sudanese pounds for fees, affecting parents and students.