Budoor Zakaria Mohammed, a high school teacher in the Azum locality in Central Darfur State in Sudan, said that most elementary and secondary school students have joined armed movements.
Budoor Zakaria highlighted that those working in the education sector face numerous challenges since the outbreak of the war in Sudan. She mentioned that before the conflict erupted on April 15, most elementary and secondary schools in the Darfur region were closed, impacting education.
She added that schools in Darfur were closed due to deteriorating security conditions, resulting in the loss of many students and a whole generation.
Budoor explained that in the Azum locality, which has 26 elementary, middle, and high schools with 560 students, 20% of them joined what she referred to as the rebellion due to ongoing violations against their families.
She revealed several difficulties facing education in Darfur, including the deterioration of the school environment. Most schools in the city have a good environment, while those outside the city suffer from poor classrooms, a lack of office equipment, and a deteriorating security situation.
Budoor also mentioned that changing curricula is one of the difficulties hindering the educational process. She believes that possible solutions to improve education in Darfur include a ceasefire, opening safe passages, committing to negotiations, and addressing root causes such as disarmament, providing security, protection, and peace. These measures could facilitate the reopening of schools.
She called on the international and regional community to intervene immediately to stop the war, assist families under fire in Sudan, and urged human rights organizations to investigate violations in Darfur states.