Why Education Cannot Wait: Sudan’s Crisis and the Work of El-Hilu Training Centre.

When the guns speak, the classrooms go silent.

That is what has happened in Sudan. And the silence has lasted far too long.

Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, Sudan has become home to one of the worst education emergencies the world has ever seen. An estimated 19 million children are out of school, and 90 percent of schools are closed nationwide due to ongoing violent conflict. Global Security

Let that number sit with you for a moment. Nineteen million children.

Sudan is on the brink of becoming home to the worst education crisis in the world, UNICEF according to UNICEF’s own country representative. And yet the world has been slow to respond.

A Generation Cut Off

This crisis did not start overnight. Prior to the conflict, 7 million children were already out of school. Over the past year, this learning crisis has deepened, with 19 million school-age children now lacking access to formal education, and over 90% of the nearly 23,000 schools closed or inaccessible. Learningpassport

The war has also destroyed the teachers.

Spending on social services has been on a steep decline, with teachers in almost all states missing their salaries since the armed conflict started. UNICEF No pay. No safety. No classrooms. And no plan from those with power to fix it.

54% of schools are located in conflict zones, affecting all 12.5 million students. Eiehub Many of those still standing have been turned into shelters, not schools.

What Happens When Children Stop Learning

The effects go far beyond lost lessons.

If the war continues, the earning loss will result in a net lifetime loss of US$26 billion for the war-impacted generation of children, UNICEF according to a UNICEF analysis. That is not just a humanitarian problem. That is an economic collapse waiting to happen.

And there is a more immediate danger too.

Without schooling, young people are at an increased risk of exploitation, child labour, early marriage, and other forms of abuse. UNICEF Schools are not just where children learn to read. They are where children stay safe.

The Problem of Digital Access

Even before the war, Sudan was struggling with digital inequality.

Only about 28% of Sudan’s population had internet access, as noted on the El-Hilu website. In a world moving fast toward digital employment, this gap leaves millions of young people locked out of opportunity even when the fighting stops.

This is one reason why computer training is not a luxury in Sudan right now. It is survival.

What El-Hilu Is Doing About It

El-Hilu Computer Science and Language Training Centre was built for exactly this moment.

Located in Julud Payam, El-Hilu delivers practical, skills-based education to war-affected youth, teachers, women, and marginalized communities. The programs include computer studies, English and Arabic language training, administration and writing, leadership development, teacher training, and women’s empowerment.

The mission is simple and urgent: equip people with the skills they need to rebuild their lives.

When formal school systems collapse, community-based training centres like El-Hilu become the last line of hope for thousands of young people who still want to learn, work, and contribute.

What the World Can Do

Despite being families’ top priority in emergencies, education receives only 3 percent of humanitarian aid. UN News Three percent. For the thing that matters most to every parent in a war zone.

El-Hilu needs computers. It needs solar power and internet access. It needs teaching staff and student support. It needs partners who understand that education is not what comes after the crisis. Education is part of the response to the crisis.

If you can help, visit elhiluedu.org to donate, partner, or sponsor a student.

The children of Sudan are still showing up to learn. The least the rest of us can do is show up for them.

Sources:

• UNICEF Sudan: 19 Million Children in Sudan Out of School — unicef.org
• UNICEF Learning Passport: Sudan’s 19 Million Learners Are Facing the World’s Worst Education Crisis — learningpassport.org
• UNESCO: UNESCO Tackles Educational Crisis in Sudan with New Strategic Priorities — unesco.org
• UN News: From Crisis to Classroom: How the UN Supports Education in Conflict Zones — news.un.org
• Save the Children / ReliefWeb: 2024 in Review — One in Three Children in Conflict Countries Out of School — reliefweb.int
• Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies: Sudan’s Education Crisis Panel Discussion — eiehub.org