United Nations officials said the ongoing war in Sudan is threatening the future of an entire generation by disrupting schooling for millions [2].
The collapse of the education system creates a long-term developmental crisis. Without classrooms, children face increased risks of exploitation and a permanent loss of literacy and vocational skills.
Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has left over eight million children out of school [2]. The conflict, which escalated in April 2023, has devastated the nation's infrastructure, and nearly three-quarters of all schools have been affected [2].
In Khartoum, the Alnour Institute for the Blind serves as a stark example of the crisis. The institute and similar facilities have faced theft and destruction, making it nearly impossible for students with special needs to continue their studies [1]. Before the war began, more than 100,000 children with special needs were enrolled in school [1].
Displacement has further complicated the crisis. In Omdurman and other conflict zones, students are unable to reach what few facilities remain open due to unsafe transport and active combat [1]. The destruction of school buildings has removed safe havens for children, leaving them exposed to the violence of the civil war [1].
UN officials said the disruption is not merely a temporary pause in learning but a systemic failure. The loss of educational access is particularly acute for children with disabilities, who require specialized resources that are now largely destroyed or inaccessible [1].
“Over eight million children are out of school because of the war.”
The scale of educational collapse in Sudan suggests a looming 'lost generation.' When millions of children, including those with specialized needs, are removed from formal learning for years, the resulting gap in human capital can hinder national reconstruction and economic stability for decades after the fighting stops.
