Education authorities in Sudan’s West Kordofan State announced on Sunday the commencement of the academic year across all education stages.
Governor Essam al-Din Haroun declared in a statement that the decision to reopen schools is one of the “bold moves” by the state government, claiming it was met with great acceptance and joy among students.
However, Buthaina Hamid Hammad, a civil society activist in the displaced camps, told Radio Tamazuj that the decision is “inappropriate” given the timing, as thousands of displaced people still lack suitable housing. Hammad stated, “The state government promised to prepare university campuses as alternative housing but failed to fulfill its promise.”
Earlier, the Teachers’ Committee in West Kordofan State had conditioned the resumption of studies on settling the teachers’ financial dues and preparing the school environment. Meanwhile, the Central Teachers’ Committee announced last week that it rejects the resumption of studies in several Sudanese states, coinciding with the Blue Nile region’s announcement of reopening schools across all academic stages.
West Kordofan State continues to experience military operations, leading to the displacement of many citizens from their homes.
The conflict, which began in mid-April 2023, has pushed Sudan’s faltering education system into a state of collapse, with many schools shut down or repurposed to host displaced people.
According to recent UN reports, approximately 19 million children in Sudan are currently out of school.