UNICEF and partners launch program to return 328,000 children to school in Sudan
May 4, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – UNICEF and Save the Children on Monday launched a joint program to help 328,000 conflict-affected children return to school in Sudan, a country currently grappling with one of the most severe education crises globally.
The ongoing conflict, now in its third year, has deprived approximately 8 million children of formal education. Currently, half of the nation’s schools remain closed due to destruction or their use as military barracks and displacement shelters.
In a joint statement, UNICEF and Save the Children, with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), announced the launch of the “Building Resilience to Improve Development and Growth in Education in Sudan” (BRIDGE) program.
The initiative aims to reopen approximately 850 schools across seven conflict-affected states. The support package includes school grants, educational materials, and essential furniture to facilitate the resumption of learning.
Funded by the GPE, the program focuses on restoring access to education in the most devastated regions while supporting the long-term recovery of the national education system. The project will be implemented between 2026 and 2028 by a coalition including UNICEF, Save the Children, Plan International, and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
The impact of the war has been particularly acute in Khartoum, Kordofan, and Darfur. Education Cluster data from January 2026 revealed that 97% of schools in North Darfur are non-functional, compared with 13% in South Darfur and 27% in West Darfur.
To address the massive learning loss, the program will support over 9,000 teachers in providing remedial education. Additionally, it will establish 1,800 safe alternative learning spaces for children who remain unable to access formal school buildings.
Beyond immediate classroom support, the initiative seeks to improve Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and data collection. It also aims to develop a national strategy for the education workforce to improve teacher recruitment and distribution.
“Helping children return to learning is essential not only for their education but also for their protection, stability, and future,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative in Sudan. He added that the program addresses immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a more resilient educational system.
Francesco Lanino, Deputy Country Director for Save the Children in Sudan, warned that keeping children out of school increases the risks of exploitation, child labour, and long-term psychological harm.
Experts indicate that salvaging the sector requires sustained funding for teacher salaries, the provision of educational supplies, school reconstruction, and the relocation of displaced persons currently sheltered in educational facilities.