Amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the country’s education system has been severely impacted, with schools closed, teachers unpaid, and students displaced. The current war, which erupted in April 2023, has exacerbated the existing challenges faced by Sudan’s teachers, who have long struggled with unpaid labor, strikes, and intimidation.
According to UNESCO, the theme of World Teachers’ Day 2025, “Collaboration is key to making teachers thrive,” highlights the importance of partnerships among teachers, unions, and governments to rebuild education systems. However, in Sudan, collaboration has become more about survival than professional growth. Teachers are fighting for basic necessities such as salaries, security, and respect, as the education system itself is under siege.
The history of teachers’ struggles in Sudan dates back to the Omar Al Bashir dictatorship, when education was one of the first institutions to show signs of neglect. In 2014, secondary school teachers in El Fasher, North Darfur, went on strike over unpaid bonuses and salary arrears, exposing a pattern of late payments that would later define the profession. Similar strikes occurred in 2015, 2018, and 2019, with teachers demanding fair pay, safe working conditions, and respect.
The brief civilian transition between 2020 and early 2023 brought some hope, but teachers continued to strike over delayed pay and unfulfilled promises of a new salary structure. The current war has further worsened the situation, with schools destroyed, teachers unpaid, and students displaced. By February 2024, teachers in South Darfur declared it “impossible to reopen” schools due to displacement, insecurity, and non-payment of salaries.
Despite the challenges, educators in Sudan continue to act, calling for a coordinated and safe resumption of education. The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee has rejected government orders to reopen schools, citing unpaid salaries and unsafe conditions. The international community, including UNESCO and UNICEF, has emphasized the importance of supporting teachers in crisis zones with training, safety, and salaries to keep classrooms alive.
The future of teaching in Sudan remains uncertain, with the education crisis far from new. Real collaboration in Sudan will require tangible protection, fair pay, and recognition of teachers as the pillars of recovery. As the global community marks World Teachers’ Day 2025, it is essential to recognize the critical role teachers play in rebuilding education systems and ensuring that children’s right to learn is protected.