Sudan is a lower-middle-income country with a fast-growing population of 41.8 million. The country’s school-aged population accounts for one third of total population and continues to grow, contributing to the increasing demand for basic services - including education.

The acute economic crisis the country experiences, fueled by high inflation and massive currency devaluation, puts Sudan’s children at a high risk of dropping out of school. This risk is echoed by the recent humanitarian appeal issued by OCHA.

A political crisis erupted in recent months, culminating in the removal of the government after nearly 30 years in power. With the help of the international humanitarian community, the new transitional government is making efforts to steer the country out of the crisis while paving the way to restore stability.

Achievements and challenges

Over the last decade, Sudan has witnessed increased access to education. Between 2008 and 2018, the total number of schools - both public and private - increased by 2,800, allowing one million more children to attend school.

Similarly, the gross enrollment rate in pre-primary education reached 43% in 2017 - ten percentage points above average for sub-Saharan Africa. The net enrollment rates at primary level improved from 56% in 2013 to 60% in 2018.

Despite these impressive achievements, several challenges remain to educating all children in the country. An estimated 3 million school-age children were out of school in 2014, one of the largest numbers in the world.

While 52% of those children never attended school, 48% did but dropped out. Low retention and high dropout rates, as a result of early marriage, distance to schools and the high opportunity cost of attending school, among other reasons, have undermined Sudan’s efforts to implement universal basic education.

Emergency funds to respond to the crisis

In response to the country’s deteriorating economic conditions, and to offset the risk this poses to education services, GPE has approved a request by the Government of Sudan for a grant of US$11.8 million as accelerated funding.

The grant will support a school grants program for one year while other funding is being lined up, along with training of school staff in planning to improve learning conditions, with the ultimate goal of promoting school access, retention and learning.

Advocacy on the importance of keeping children in school

The school grants program aims to incentivize parents’ engagement to reduce the risk of children – especially girls – dropping out. In Sudan, despite free basic education, families need to pay for school-related expenses such as uniforms, textbooks and bags, to name a few.

Given the precarious economic situation, many vulnerable families may not be able to continue paying for these items, which will more than likely result in pulling their children out of school.

Therefore, school grants will fund the acquisition of basic learning materials - such as stationary, classroom furniture and equipment – to support the learning environment while attracting and retaining students and teachers. In addition, sanitary napkins will be provided to adolescent girls in the upper grades in an effort to encourage them to stay in school.

Along with the provision of learning materials, the school grants aim to support teachers (via in cash or in-kind support) to counterbalance the negative impact high inflations have had on teacher’s salaries. If unaddressed, schools face the risk that teachers may leave to find alternative livelihoods.

GPE’s US$11.8 million grant for Sudan will play a key role in attracting and retaining students and teachers in schools, while strengthening the community’s role in school management and planning.