education 26 June 2026 Nile Post
Sudan's War: 19 Million Children Out of School Amid Economic Devastation
Sudan's ongoing conflict and severe economic collapse have created one of the world's worst education crises, with millions of children unable to attend school and fears that a generation may never complete their education. The war has disrupted learning for over 500 days, with schools repurposed as military sites or shelters. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/351560/sudans-war-threatens-generations-with-no-education-amid-economic-collapse
The brutal war in Sudan, raging since April 2023, has plunged the country into an unprecedented economic crisis, severely impacting the education of its younger generations. An estimated 19 million children are currently deprived of their right to education for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies. UNICEF reports that 17 million Sudanese children are unable to attend school.
Beyond direct attacks on educational facilities, the nation’s economic devastation has brought learning to a near standstill, particularly in areas controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Nearly 8 million children have not returned to reopened schools due to safety concerns and a lack of security. The humanitarian platform ReliefWeb highlights that this disruption, exceeding 500 days, marks one of the longest periods of educational shutdown globally, surpassing even that of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many schools have been occupied by the military or have become makeshift shelters for displaced populations, leaving children without safe learning environments. Save the Children emphasizes that education is a critical lifeline, protecting children from exploitation and offering hope for rebuilding their lives.
The economic fallout is equally dire. Sudan’s currency has collapsed, drastically reducing citizens’ purchasing power and making basic necessities unaffordable, let alone school fees. Transparency International reports that national resources, including gold and wheat, are being diverted to finance the conflict through military-controlled companies that benefit from tax exemptions and a lack of oversight.
This redirection of wealth, coupled with international sanctions on some gold-mining companies, fuels the war economy. Experts like Shaza Balla point out that gold revenues largely benefit the military establishment, further exacerbating the lack of funding for essential services like education. Compounding these issues, food shortages and widespread child malnutrition directly hinder a child’s ability to learn, threatening Sudan’s future economic recovery.