Over 8 million Sudanese children lose 500 days of schooling amid war, warns Save the Children

More than eight million children in Sudan have lost almost 500 days of schooling since war broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, marking one of the longest and most severe education disruptions globally. The UK-based charity Save the Children reported Thursday that the affected children—nearly half of Sudan's school-aged population—have spent about 484 days out of the classroom as violence has shuttered, destroyed, or repurposed schools and displaced families across the country.

A System on the Brink of Collapse

Describing the situation as "one of the worst education crises in the world," the organization warned that remote learning is not a viable alternative for most children due to infrastructure damage, lack of connectivity, and mass displacement. In North Darfur, only 3% of more than 1,100 schools remain open. Without urgent funding to pay teachers, restore classrooms, and provide learning materials, Sudan's education system risks "total breakdown," leaving an entire generation vulnerable to exploitation, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups.

Voices of Children Seeking Safety and Learning

Save the Children CEO Inger Ashing, who recently visited Sudan, stated that children repeatedly expressed a desire to return to school despite the dangers. "Everywhere I went during my visit, I heard the same message from children: they want to be in school safe, supported, and learning," she said. Ashing highlighted stories of children walking long distances alone to attend classes under constant threat, emphasizing that education is not a luxury but "a lifeline" that offers protection and hope.

Broader Conflict Context and Humanitarian Impact

The war has killed thousands and displaced millions, with the RSF now controlling all five states in the Darfur region except parts of North Darfur, while the army holds most of the remaining 13 states, including the capital Khartoum. The education crisis compounds a wider humanitarian catastrophe, with severe food insecurity, health system collapse, and widespread violence pushing the country toward famine and generational loss. International aid efforts remain critically underfunded, limiting the response to both immediate survival needs and longer-term recovery, including education.