South Darfur’s Civil Administration Ministry of Education and Guidance rang in the new academic year on September 3 despite security and economic pressures and a shortage of teachers.
Hafiz Ahmed Omar, the ministry’s director-general, said education is a priority for the TASIS government. He noted that all schools across the state have reopened, including those that remained shut over the past two years. Omar said authorities expect a stable school year despite the widespread cholera outbreak, urging close coordination with the state Health Ministry to raise pupils’ health awareness.
He added there is no backlog of cohorts in primary and middle school, though secondary schools still face accumulated classes. The new government is seeking solutions for this year’s Sudanese Certificate examinations.
Teachers told media the rollout faces multiple obstacles: many school buildings are still being used as shelters for displaced families; numerous teachers left the state because of the war; parents’ response to the new term is muted by security conditions and the cost of living; and outstanding pay and benefits remain unresolved.
Earlier this week, the South Darfur Teachers’ Committee presented proposals to the Education and Guidance Ministry to address the Sudanese Certificate cohort, and discussed overdue salaries, pensioners, and support for teachers killed in the conflict and their families. The committee called on all teachers to report to schools to help ensure the year’s success.
Fighting in Nyala and across Darfur largely halted schooling over the past two years and caused extensive damage to education infrastructure.
