The issue has caused huge student drop out and low enrolment figures, as parents struggle to cope with tough economic times

By Emmanuel Mandella

High school fee charges is forcing many learners out of classrooms across Western Equatoria State, with education authorities warning of huge dropout numbers as families struggle to cope with high economic situation.

State Minister of General Education and Instruction, Hon. Gibson Bullen Wande, raised the alarm on Thursday after enrollment figures from Maridi County and other parts of the state showed a noticeable decline just three weeks into the new academic year.

The minister attributed the trend largely to high school fees, saying many parents can no longer afford due to inflation, loss of livelihoods, and persistent cash shortages affecting households across the country.

“High fees are pushing our children out of school. If we do not act now, we risk losing a generation that should be in classrooms building the future of this state,” Wande said.

According to the Ministry of Education, several schools have reported lower attendance compared to previous years, with some learners failing to return after the long holiday while others dropped out shortly after reopening.

Education officials say the situation is more severe in rural areas, where families depend on subsistence farming and small-scale trade, both of which have been disrupted by economic hardship and insecurity.

The minister warned that continued dropouts could increase child labor, early marriages, and youth involvement in crime, undermining efforts to stabilize communities and promote development in the state.

“Education is the foundation of peace and development. When children leave school, the entire society pays the price,” he added.

Parents across Western Equatoria have echoed the minister’s concerns, saying the cost of education has become unbearable.

Mr. James Bangadapai, a parent in Yambio town said he has three children at different school levels but can only afford to pay for one this term.

“School fees, uniforms, and books are too expensive. I had to keep two of my children at home because I cannot manage everything,” he said.

In Maridi County, Ms. Sarah Mandulu said her daughter dropped out after the first week of classes when the school demanded full payment upfront.

“We are willing to educate our children, but the schools must understand our situation. Even getting food at home is difficult,” she explained.

Another parent from Ibba County, who asked not to be named, said many families are considering withdrawing their children completely if fees remain high.

“We want our children to learn, but survival comes first,” he said.

Calling for urgent intervention, Hon. Wande urged school administrators to adopt flexible payment arrangements, including allowing parents to pay fees in installments, to prevent further dropouts.

He also called for stronger collaboration between schools, communities, and education partners to support vulnerable learners, particularly orphans and children from low-income households.

The minister warned that failure to address the affordability crisis could reverse gains made in school enrollment over the past years and widen inequality in access to education.

The situation in Western Equatoria mirrors a broader national trend, as economic pressures across South Sudan continue to affect access to basic services, including education.

With the cost of living rising and incomes shrinking, many families are forced to choose between schooling and meeting daily needs, raising fears that thousands of children could miss out on learning opportunities this year.

Education stakeholders say urgent interventions including subsidies, school feeding programs, and scholarship schemes are needed to keep children in classrooms and protect the state’s human capital.

“Let us work together to keep our children in school,” Wande urged. “Their future is the future of Western Equatoria and South Sudan.”

Utilities

“We are willing to educate our children, but the schools must understand our situation. Even getting food at home is difficult,” Ms. Sarah Mandulu, a parent from Maridi County, said.