West Darfur: Schools in El Geneina resume after months of closure

Last Thursday, the acting governor of West Darfur, Al-Tijani Al-Taher Karshoum, announced the commencement of the academic year in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.

Last Thursday, the acting governor of West Darfur, Al-Tijani Al-Taher Karshoum, announced the commencement of the academic year in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Karshoum explained that the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions had adversely affected education, necessitating the resumption of the school year.

He urged all parents to actively support and encourage both male and female students to return to school, emphasizing its crucial role in global development. Karshoum called for the community’s full efforts and support, ensuring that students are provided with necessary protection and other essentials.

Karshoum has commended the Norwegian Refugee Council’s commitment to rehabilitating 7 schools in the city, supporting teachers, and refurbishing the ministry’s printing press for textbook and exam production.

Abdel Malik Khamis, the Director of Education in El Geneina, has confirmed the initiation of classes for two grades in primary, middle, and secondary levels, along with kindergarteners in the Erdemta Administrative Unit.

He underscored their dedicated efforts to keep the remaining classrooms operational.

Since April, forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan — Sudan’s de facto head of state — have been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

While fighting has been chiefly concentrated in the country’s capital, Khartoum, the conflict has impacted other regions. In Darfur, mass killings and displacement have led to reports of ethnic cleansing.

Over 12,000 people have been killed, with about 5.9 million displaced within the country, making it the largest internal displacement crisis globally. More than 7.2 million people have fled their homes, taking refuge inside and outside the country.

To contact Radio Tamazuj with comments, news tips or information, write to radiotamazuj@gmail.com or use the contact form.