UNICEF and Save the Children have reported that approximately 19 million children in Sudan, which accounts for one in every three children, are currently out of school as the country approaches its sixth month of brutal conflict.
In a joint statement released on Monday, the organizations revealed that out of this staggering number, around 6.5 million children have lost access to education due to increasing violence and insecurity in their regions.
About 10,400 schools in conflict-affected areas have been forced to shut their doors.
Meanwhile, more than 5.5 million children in less conflict-affected areas are waiting for local authorities to confirm whether it is possible to reopen classrooms.
Even before the conflict erupted in April, nearly 7 million children were already out of school.
UNICEF and Save the Children warn that if the war persists, Sudan’s children may not be able to return to school in the coming months.
This would expose them to immediate and long-term risks, including displacement, recruitment by armed groups, and sexual violence.
Mandeep O’Brien, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, cautioned that “Sudan is on the brink of experiencing the world’s worst education crisis.”
She added, “Children have been enduring the horrors of war for nearly half a year. Now, after being forced away from their classrooms, teachers, and friends, they face the danger of falling into the void that threatens an entire generation’s future.”
In addition to reading, writing, and mathematics, schools provide children with crucial social and emotional skills that can be vital for coping with violence, loss, and trauma during times of conflict.
At the same time, schools provide access to many other life-saving services, such as nutrition, healthcare, and psychosocial support.
Aref Noor, Sudan Country Director for Save the Children, noted that since the conflict began, Sudan has become the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with 4.4 million new internally displaced persons, including near 2.5 million children.
Additionally, around 5 million school-age children find themselves trapped in active conflict areas, jeopardizing their critical access to education and essential protection services.
The agencies emphasize that spending on social services has sharply declined, with teachers across nearly all states losing their salaries since the armed conflict began.
There is a shortage of educational supplies, and maintenance of educational facilities has not been carried out. While efforts are underway in a few areas to ensure that Sudan’s education systems remain functional, there are significant constraints, and needs quickly outstrip resources, according to the statement.
In addition to the direct impact and the risks of nearly all Sudanese children missing out on education, a recent UNICEF study found that if not urgently addressed, the loss of income could result in a lifetime cost of $26 billion for the war-affected generation.
UNICEF and Save the Children are working with partners to ensure that millions of Sudanese children receive quality education and safely return to school soon, before the risk of their academic year being lost becomes a reality.