By Sabri Dibaco
Communities in Western Equatoria State have expressed growing concern over the future of their children’s education as the worsening economic situation continues to affect households across the state.
Parents from different counties said the rising cost of living has made it increasingly difficult to afford school fees, uniforms, books, and other basic scholastic materials, raising fears that many children could drop out of school if the situation persists.
Wenepai Jullian, a single mother in Yambio, said the economic pressure has forced many families to struggle between meeting basic household needs and supporting their children’s education.
“I want my child to study and have a better future, but the prices of everything in the market have gone up. Paying school fees and buying uniforms is becoming very difficult for me as a single parent,” Wenepai said.
She added that the government should do more to support single mothers and ensure that men who impregnate women and abandon them face punishment, noting that she has endured hardship raising her child alone.
Jama Lagu, another parent from Maridi County, said some families have already started withdrawing their children from school due to financial constraints.
“Some parents are keeping their children at home because they cannot afford the costs required by schools. If the economic situation continues like this, many of our children may fail to continue with their studies,” Lagu explained.
Teachers in the state have also reported a decline in school attendance, attributing the situation to the economic hardships facing families.
One teacher in Yambio said several pupils have not returned to school since the beginning of the term. “We have noticed that many learners are absent. When we ask, we are told their parents are struggling to pay fees or buy basic learning materials,” Mborifuko said.
The teacher further warned that continued absenteeism could negatively affect pupils’ academic performance and the overall education system in the state.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education in Western Equatoria State, Gibson Bellen Wande, acknowledged the challenges facing families and called for collective efforts to support children’s education.
Speaking in a press release, Wande said the state government is aware of the economic difficulties affecting parents.
“We understand the concerns of the communities regarding the education of your children. The economic challenges are real, but we encourage you parents to continue sending your children to school while the government works on ways to support the education sector,” Wande said.
He also urged development partners and humanitarian organizations to support schools and vulnerable families to ensure that children remain in school despite the economic difficulties.
Wande appealed to schools not to send learners home due to unpaid fees, citing the current economic challenges faced by parents and guardians. He encouraged school administrators to allow parents to pay fees in instalments and, where possible, deposit payments directly into school bank accounts.
“I am calling and appealing to school owners not to send learners home because of school fees. Rather, accept payment in instalments from parents. I also call on parents to cooperate with school owners so the two sides can have better understanding, which can help our future leaders,” Wande said.
He emphasized that sending learners home during school hours makes them miss important lessons that cannot be recovered later. He called on parents to continue cooperating with schools by paying fees gradually despite the hardships.
Wande further noted that school admissions have dropped this year due to increased school fees in some schools. He added that Primary Eight examination results are expected to be released soon at the state level, urging senior students to prepare accordingly.