What You Need to Know
• More than 8 million school-age children in Sudan are out of school due to ongoing civil war.
• Nearly three-quarters of schools in Darfur have been damaged or rendered unusable since April 2023.
• Over half of Sudan’s teachers remain unpaid, yet many continue to work under challenging conditions.
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed of the United Nations reported that over 8 million school-age children in Sudan are currently out of school due to the civil war that began more than three years ago. Speaking at an informal UN Security Council session, she highlighted that the conflict, now in its 1,210th day, is depriving an entire generation of education and future opportunities. The UN indicated that almost 75% of schools in Darfur have been affected, with many parents opting to keep their children at home for safety. Since 2024, the UN has recorded over 67 attacks on schools and more than 154 instances of schools being used for military purposes. Despite these challenges, the UN and its partners have managed to reintegrate over a million children into some form of learning this year, although this number falls significantly short of the need.
Why It Matters
The ongoing civil war in Sudan, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, displacing approximately 15 million people. The conflict has not only disrupted education but has also exacerbated poverty and food insecurity in the region, particularly affecting women and children. Historical patterns show that Sudan has previously lost an entire generation to earlier conflicts, and the current situation threatens to repeat this cycle. The international community, including UNICEF, has raised alarms about the long-term implications of this educational disruption on Sudan’s future.
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