The Governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Maj. Gen. Sharif Daniel Sharif, has directed all private schools in the state to reduce school fees by 10 percent for the 2026 academic year, following growing concerns from parents over the rising cost of education.
The directive was issued after repeated appeals from citizens, with Governor Sharif citing the ongoing economic hardship facing families across the state.
He said the decision is aimed at easing the financial burden on parents and ensuring children are not denied access to education due to unaffordable fees.
In line with the governor’s order, the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has instructed all schools to comply with the fee reduction.
Speaking to the press, the Acting State Minister of Education, Mohammed Ali Goni, said the meeting resolved that schools must adjust their fee structures accordingly.
Under the new arrangement, parents will pay school fees in three installments: 50 percent in the first term, 25 percent in the second term, and the remaining 25 percent in the third term.
Minister Goni also emphasized that all payments must be made strictly in South Sudanese Pounds, warning that no school is permitted to demand fees in foreign currency.
The ministry said enforcement measures will be taken against schools that fail to comply with the directive, noting that the government remains committed to protecting the right to education for all children in the state.
Meanwhile, the National Ministry of General Education has announced that schools across the country will officially reopen on Monday, February 2, 2026. Minister Goni urged schools in Western Bahr el Ghazal to adhere to the national calendar.
Governor Sharif is expected to officially launch the new academic year by ringing the bell at Loko-Loko Primary School in Wau on Monday, marking the start of the 2026 school year in the state.
