A study presented by the Sudanese Teachers Committee sheds light on the challenging circumstances faced by its members, attributed to salary withholding and the declining real value of wages across Sudanese states. Except for Red Sea, Northern State, and Nile River, salaries are being withheld in most states, exacerbating the situation.
The study, obtained by Radio Tamazuj, underscores the discriminatory practices by the de facto government in Port Sudan, creating disparities among teachers across states and establishing a new hierarchy.
It further reveals that while Red Sea State consistently pays salaries for 11 out of 12 months, teachers in West Darfur have not received any salary since the onset of the conflict.
Moreover, the study highlights the erosion of salary value alongside the depreciation of the Sudanese pound. For instance, salaries for the first rank, once equivalent to $498 before the conflict, have plummeted to $128. Similarly, salaries for the ninth rank have decreased from $128 to $70.
Highlighting the imperative need to end the war for the benefit of the Sudanese populace, the study emphasized the pressing outcome, stressing the importance of concerted efforts to halt the ongoing conflict.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, Samy Al-Baqer, the official spokesperson for the Sudanese Teachers, said: “The current war represents the gravest catastrophe the nation has confronted. It has led to widespread devastation and exposed citizens’ lives and assets to severe violations.”
He further acknowledged that the education sector, like others, has suffered significant violations during this conflict. Al-Baqer clarified that teachers in only three states—Red Sea, Northern State, and Nile River—have received partial salary payments. Among them, Red Sea State demonstrated the highest salary payment rate, covering 11 out of 12 months, followed by Nile River State with 9 months, and then Northern state with 8 months.
Al-Baqer highlighted that teachers in the remaining states have not received any salary payments. He remarked, “The study focused on the most severely impacted states due to salary non-payment, specifically Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile, where no salaries have been disbursed.” Additionally, he noted, “The costs of goods and services have surged by 6 to 10 times, amidst the depreciation of the Sudanese pound, making salaries practically ineffective.”