Over Three Million Children Out of School in Sudan
11 September, 2015
KHARTOUM (SUDANOW)-- Over three million school-aged children (5-13 years old) in Sudan are missing out on education, according to a report jointly released by the Ministry of Education and UNICEF Thursday.
Despite the gains made in school attendance – with an increase in primary attendance from 68 per cent in 2006 to 76 per cent in 2014 – the first ever "Out-of-School Children Report" suggests that Sudan’s ongoing wars, lack of awareness of the importance of education and economic under-development are having a serious impact on the education of boys and girls. In addition, girls are more likely than boys to drop out of school before grade 8 (final year in primary education) due to traditional beliefs about the role of women. The payment of school charges and fees also prevents some poor families from sending children to school.
Commenting on the Report H.E the State Minister of Education, Abdul Hafiz El Saddiq Abdul Rahim states that “The Ministry of Education is affirming its intent to address the out of school children’s issue, through all necessary educational measures and in close coordination and collaboration with our partners in the education sector”
"Education is a basic right", says EU Ambassador, Tomas Ulicny. "Education is the main way for a country to growth and to develop, to promote tolerance and friendship among all people, racial or religious groups. EU is fully committed to support Sudan along this path". The EU reaffirms its commitment to support quality learning and access to education in Sudan.
According to the study, carried out by the Government of Sudan with the support of UNICEF and UNESCO, these over three million children aged between five and 13 who are not currently attending classes include 490,673 children of pre-primary age (five years), 1,965,068 primary age children (6-11 years) and 641,587 children of lower secondary school age (12-13 years). The majority of these children are from nomadic communities or rural and conflict-affected areas
“This report serves as a wake-up call,” says UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan, Geert Cappelaere. “Though we recognise the commendable increase in primary school enrollment under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and support of key partners such as the EU and Educate a Child (EAC), we also acknowledge that there is a long but not impossible road ahead. There is an urgent need for dedicated investment in basic education by the Government of Sudan and its partners to ensure that every boy and every girl has access to quality learning,” Cappelaere concluded.
"Enabling all Sudanese children to learn in a quality primary education programme is a critical first step in building a stronger Sudan--now and in the future.” Mary Joy Pigozzi, EAC Director said.
UNICEF is supporting the efforts of the Government of Sudan with back to school campaigns at state, community and household level to ensure the most vulnerable children are reached. UNICEF’s core interventions include school rehabilitation and construction, the provision of teaching, learning and recreation materials, and teacher training with a focus on individuals from rural communities. As an innovative approach, tablets are also being provided to support learning by children in nomadic communities.
In addition, UNICEF as lead agency in the sector continues to advocate for free education for every child, especially IDPs and refugees, as well as increased budgetary allocation to the education sector, to ensure access to primary education for every boy and every girl in Sudan.
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