Sudan: 1,000 Days of War Leave 8M Children Out of School
UN warns 8 million children are out of school and nearly three-quarters of schools in Darfur are damaged.
The update
More than 1,000 days of civil war in Sudan have left at least eight million school-aged children out of the classroom, according to the United Nations. The conflict has damaged or destroyed nearly three-quarters of schools in Darfur. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed described this as a “frontal assault” on child safety and dignity. Since 2024, the UN has verified over 67 attacks on schools and more than 154 instances of schools being used for military purposes. Despite these challenges, the UN and partners have brought more than a million children back into some form of learning this year.
Why it matters
The loss of education represents a long-term destabilization risk for Sudan. Five out of every six children in Darfur are out of school, with parents keeping them home for safety. This deprives children of protective spaces, social development opportunities, and essential services like healthcare and mental health support. The burden falls disproportionately on women and children who had no say in starting the conflict.
What to watch
UN officials are calling for renewed diplomatic and humanitarian action to end the conflict. The organization is working to expand safe learning spaces and provide essential services to affected communities. More than half of Sudan’s teachers have gone unpaid, yet many continue teaching “against all odds.”
Sources
- UN News — Core statistics on children out of school, attacks on schools, and quotes from Amina Mohammed.
- aljazeera.com — Corroboration of the 1,000+ day timeline and the impact on Darfur schools.