The Caretaker Minister of General Education and Instruction in Central Equatoria State, Lupai Satimon Andrew, says all schools operating in the state must charge school fees in South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), in line with the national education policy.
Speaking to Eye Radio, Lupai said an inspection at a school in Juba found that the institution was charging students in US dollars, contrary to the ministry’s directive.
“The National Ministry of General Education and Instruction has given us clear directives that schools must charge fees in South Sudanese Pounds (SSP), except international schools that offer different curricula. These schools are operating in South Sudan, where the legal tender is the SSP,” he said.
Lupai questioned why some schools charge fees in US dollars when the South Sudanese Pound is the country’s legal tender and government employees, including ministry officials, receive their salaries in the local currency.
He said only international schools offering different curricula are allowed to charge fees in US dollars.
“All of us, including myself as the caretaker minister of General Education and Instruction, receive our salaries in SSP. Even members of the organized forces are paid in SSP. Why, then, are our children being charged in US dollars? This is against the general education policy. As a result, we decided to suspend the school until the matter is resolved through discussions with the relevant authorities,” he added.
Lupai said the school would remain suspended until the issue is resolved.
In May 2021, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction issued an order requiring private schools to collect fees in South Sudanese Pounds instead of US dollars.
The General Education Act of 2012 empowers the government to regulate and inspect private schools, including ensuring that they charge reasonable fees.
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