Sudan secondary school exams to begin amid logistical hurdles and student displacement
April 12, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Ministry of Education announced on Sunday that the Sudanese secondary school certificate exams will begin on Monday in areas under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and at several external centres for refugees in neighbouring countries.
This marks the third time authorities have organized exams in army-controlled regions across northern, central, and eastern Sudan, as well as the Blue Nile region and parts of Kordofan.
As the exams approached, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) imposed strict security measures on roads leading to army-controlled areas. Despite this, a significant number of students managed to reach Chad, South Sudan, and Libya after difficult journeys, according to accounts obtained by Sudan Tribune.
The Ministry of Education stated that approximately 564,000 students are registered to sit for the 2026 exams, distributed across 3,333 centres inside and outside Sudan.
Education Minister Al-Tohami al-Zain Hajjar noted an increase in the number of candidates compared to previous years. In 2021, 480,519 students sat for the exams, rising to 518,712 in 2022. The current session includes 226,684 students from war-delayed batches and 222,404 students from the 2024 class.
Hours before the start, the Sudanese Consulate in Dubai announced that exams could not be held in the United Arab Emirates because the state has restricted in-person learning at all schools and universities until April 17. An official notice indicated that exams there would now take place in May.
The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee criticized the consulate’s failure to organize the exams, noting that the postponement at the Sharjah centre was announced less than 48 hours before the start date. The committee said the decision affected over 1,200 students and accused the consulate of “irresponsibility,” noting that it continued to collect exam fees of 450 dirhams per student despite the remote-learning mandates.
In the Ugandan capital, Kampala, arrangements were marred by tension regarding seating numbers and centre locations. Sources told Sudan Tribune that students and parents were barred from entering the main centre in Kabuuga to verify arrangements. Technical issues with the mobile application used to issue seating numbers and high daily transportation costs added to the confusion.
The National Initiative to Support Sudanese Exams revealed that approximately 280,000 students have been denied the opportunity to sit for exams across various regions. The initiative described the recurring situation as a failure of educational justice and said it is coordinating with international partners to organize a comprehensive exam session for those left behind.
Separately, a member of the Teachers’ Committee told Sudan Tribune that more than 76 teachers in Gezira state were excluded from exam duties for “security reasons” after they demanded unpaid wages dating back to 2022.