No more farewell parties, gifts in Bor schools; non-compliant schools face two-year suspension – official

Authorities in Bor County in Jonglei State have banned school farewell parties and the giving of gifts to Primary 8, Senior 4 and Top-Class candidates, citing the economic burden on parents.

Bor County Education Director Gabriel Panchol Anyang says farewell parties and the giving of gifts have become an economic burden on parents and could undermine discipline and students’ academic focus.

In an order issued on Tuesday, Anyang said the ban applies to all public and private schools in Bor County, including head teachers, teachers, students, parents and guardians.

The education department has also prohibited what it calls “success cards” and assorted gifts for candidates preparing to sit the South Sudan Certificate of Primary and Secondary Education Examinations.

“Bor County Education Department has comprehended the practices of gifts in the schools as a misleading factor to youths and become economic burden to parents of low income learner and for this case, we have made a policy to ban success cards and gifts to senior 4 and primary 8 or Top class candidates in the schools because students who are about to graduate from Secondary and Primary Schools have made it a duty upon themselves to receive assorted gifts from parents and nonrelatives or friends,” read in part the order circulated online.

According to the circular, some candidates receive expensive clothes, cosmetics, shoes, money, soft drinks, goats and other gifts from parents, relatives and friends.

The department says the practice has placed an economic burden on low-income families and raised concerns among some parents.

The order warns that parents, relatives or friends found giving gifts to candidates or other students could face penalties.

It further states that students found receiving such gifts could be discontinued from the national examinations.

The education department has also banned farewell or “sign-out” celebrations both within and outside school premises.

Parents and relatives are not allowed to be asked to contribute money towards farewell party activities at schools or in the payams.

The department warns that any school that continues to allow farewell parties could be closed for two academic years, with its operating licence and letter of no objection withdrawn.

The order also requires nursery school graduation ceremonies to be organized solely by individual schools, without excessive spending or assorted gifts.

Payam education supervisors and security personnel assigned to the education department have been directed to ensure compliance.

The orders take immediate effect.