Maysaa Al-Qadi

Sudan -Over the past two years, female teachers in Sudan have endured the most difficult period in the history of education, as conflict erupted in the capital and several other cities, plunging the country into an unprecedented crisis. Today, Sudan faces one of the harshest education crises in the world, with nearly 14 million children out of school—the largest educational crisis in the Middle East and North Africa.

Dalia Mohammed, a primary school teacher, affirmed the pivotal role women play in the educational system, noting that women represent the backbone of education. They contribute to building future generations and play a fundamental role in teaching children and guiding them. She explained that women’s contribution to this field is a cornerstone in building the nation’s future, which requires providing them with the necessary support and attention to enable them to fulfill their educational mission to the fullest.

 

Home-Based Initiatives

Regarding the support needed for female teachers, she explained that they require both material and moral support, in addition to encouraging women to pursue education and choose this noble profession. She stressed that providing the necessary educational resources and recognizing the status of teachers in society are essential. Through this appreciation and support, teachers will be able to give their best to future generations and contribute to building a brighter future for the country.

She described the impact of the conflict on education, saying:
“Many teachers were forced to flee and leave their jobs. The difficult conditions made it hard for children to learn and affected their psychological well-being. However, as teachers, we try to do everything we can to support children and provide them with a safe and stable learning environment despite all the challenges.”

She added that in conflict-affected areas, education has been completely disrupted and the number of students is very limited. She pointed out that her colleagues gathered students in homes and began teaching them from scratch so they would not forget what they had already learned, noting that “many teachers lost their lives during this period.”

The suffering was not limited to displaced teachers alone. Dalia Mohammed indicated that teachers working in relatively safe areas also faced tremendous pressure. They tried to support the existing schools and deal with the challenges, but they themselves needed support as well. The influx of large numbers of displaced students increased their workload, forcing them to work long hours in the morning and evening to accommodate the growing number of pupils.

She said:
“As displaced teachers, we faced great difficulty in finding job opportunities, as schools were often already full and did not need additional staff. Nevertheless, we proved our competence by working from home.”

Regarding the main challenges of displacement, she explained that a new teacher in the area she moves to is often unknown, which reduces her chances of employment. In addition, salaries were irregular and subject to deductions, which further worsened the situation for displaced teachers.

On the impact of war on education, she stated:
“Without a doubt, the conflict has had a major impact on the educational process. However, thanks to continuous efforts, conditions have begun to stabilize. Many schools have reopened, and teachers are working diligently to cover the curricula. We are striving to rebuild what was destroyed, moving step by step toward the future with hope and optimism, while taking into account students’ financial circumstances and providing appropriate support.”

Challenges Affecting Community Development

For her part, Syria Ali Al-Hassan, an education expert, said that one of the most significant challenges facing women is access to education in the first place.
“Poverty forces many girls to leave school and work to support their families, while early marriage deprives them of the opportunity to continue their education. These challenges affect girls’ futures, limit their life opportunities, and negatively impact community development as a whole.”

She explained that families must support girls and encourage them to pursue education, participate in the educational process by monitoring their children’s performance, and provide the necessary financial resources. The role of the community, she added, is to ensure a safe educational environment and support teachers through continuous training and development. Local communities also contribute by providing a secure environment and preparing school facilities.

In conclusion, Syria Ali Al-Hassan emphasized the importance of supporting women in education by “expanding educational opportunities through increasing the number of schools, providing scholarships, distance-learning programs, improving the educational environment, and raising awareness of the importance of women’s role in education and development. Partnerships with organizations can also be formed. Women are the foundation of society, and ‘a mother is a school; if you prepare her well, you prepare a righteous nation.’”