War-torn Sudan faces severe challenges in rebuilding its education system, such as extensive infrastructure damage, tight budgets, and acute teacher shortages, even as schools resume in parts of the country following a steadily stabilizing situation in the central and eastern regions.
The armed conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces has caused widespread school closures and disrupted the education of millions of children and adolescents.
As security stabilizes in central and eastern Sudan, the local government has begun rebuilding the war-torn nation's education system.
Some primary and secondary schools and universities in the central and eastern parts of the country have resumed classes since October. Some universities have even resumed in-person teaching for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict, while others in active combat zones have relocated to safer areas in the central region to resume operations. This marks a vital step toward recovery.
"Because of the conflict, the Sub-Saharan University College had to relocate from El Fasher to Khartoum. We are currently sharing a campus with other universities," said Khaled Ahmed, a college chief in the Sub-Saharan University.
""Currently, the university's teaching activities have resumed, and operations are back up and running," said Imad al-Din Ardeeb, vice-chancellor of the University of Khartoum.
Despite these strides, the armed conflict continues, and the destruction inflicted on educational infrastructure cannot be fully repaired in the short term, leaving many schools still unable to operate normally.
"The difficulties we face also include damaged educational facilities that need urgent repair, as well as a shortage of teaching staff. These are pressing issues that must be addressed now that classes have resumed," said Abdullah Al-Nuwairi, an university student.
Meanwhile, conflict-caused displacement persists, with some students yet to return to classrooms as they struggle to make a living.
The fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, following months of escalating tensions between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief and head of Sudan's ruling council, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF commander and al-Burhan's former deputy.
The war has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and ruined the economy. According to international estimates, around 34 million people -- roughly two-thirds of the population -- require humanitarian assistance in Sudan, making it the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
Sudan faces severe education rebuilding hurdle despite school resumption
