Sudan’s war steals children’s future with school closures and displacement

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Sudan’s war has pushed millions of children out of school, with displacement, school closures and damage to classrooms forcing many into work to support their families. The article, published on 27 October 2026, follows children in Port Sudan who are selling goods or cleaning shoes instead of attending regular classes, even as they try to keep up with religious lessons where possible.

The story says the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has disrupted education across the country since fighting began in April 2023. It cites UNICEF figures showing about eight million of Sudan’s 17 million school-age children are out of school, while Save the Children estimates children have lost an average of about 484 days of learning. In Darfur, the report says many schools remain closed and a large share of children are not attending classes. It also notes that some education facilities have been hit by drone attacks and that one strike in North Kordofan destroyed more than 330,000 textbooks and other materials.

Interviews quoted in the article describe how families displaced by war are struggling to pay for food, rent and transport, leaving children to contribute income. UNICEF and Sudanese officials warn that prolonged absence from school increases risks such as child labour, early marriage, recruitment by armed groups and psychological harm. The article adds broader context that Sudan’s economy has been severely weakened by the war, deepening poverty and making it harder for families to keep children in education.