Khartoum resumes school year after three-year war-induced hiatus

February 23, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Schools in Khartoum state reopened this week after a three-year hiatus caused by Sudan’s civil war, as officials scramble to repair hundreds of damaged buildings and accommodate a surge in returning students.

The Khartoum State Ministry of Education said on Monday that approximately 280 schools in the capital were damaged or destroyed during the conflict, which broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Many schools were repurposed as shelters for displaced families or occupied by warring factions, while the displacement of teachers and students led to a total collapse of the city’s educational system.

Qariballah Mohammed Ahmed, Khartoum’s director of education, told Sudan Tribune that more than one million students are expected to enrol this year as families gradually return to the capital’s relatively stable neighbourhoods.

“The number of students in government schools reached about 726,706 during the 2024–2025 academic year, compared to 236,000 the previous year,” Ahmed said, noting that the increase reflects a stabilizing environment despite ongoing challenges.

The state faces a significant shortage of educators. Statistics provided by the ministry show a deficit of more than 8,600 teachers across primary and secondary levels. While thousands remain displaced, Ahmed described the gap as “manageable” and expected it to be filled through the current academic year.

Logistical hurdles remain, particularly regarding supplies and infrastructure. The ministry has received approximately 60% of the contracted textbooks from printers in Cairo and has begun distributing them to primary schools.

To address a lack of furniture, the state contracted the Giad industrial group to supply 100,000 seating units, supplemented by donations from local businessmen and charitable organizations.

The Ministry of Finance is currently funding the full renovation of 63 schools, while another 217 are undergoing repairs through community-led initiatives and private donations.

“The start of the school year does not mean the situation is ideal,” Ahmed said. “But we are confident that community support and government efforts will ensure the continuity of education in Khartoum.”