Close to 5,000 refugee students from Sudan finalize their Baccalaureate exams in Chad

N’DJAMENA, 02 September 2025 – In a remarkable joint effort over the past nine days, nearly 5,000 Sudanese refugee students, who fled to Chad before taking their final exams over two years ago, have now completed their national baccalaureate exams in eastern Chad. This exceptional initiative enables them to resume their education despite the disruption caused by conflict.

Between 25 August and 2 September 2025, the exams were held in seven centres across the three provinces of Ouaddai, Sila and Wadi Fira in eastern Chad. This one-time initiative was made possible through strong coordination among partners and it enabled refugee girls and boys from Sudan to complete their national education.

The initiative reflects an unwavering commitment to education, ensuring that displaced children are not left behind. It reaffirms that access to certification and learning can - and must - be protected.

UNICEF with UNHCR and other partners, provided critical support including:

· Learning materials and exam preparation sessions

· Safe transportation from the refugee camp to the examination sites and accommodation centres

· Psychosocial support and child protection services

· Coordination with education authorities to ensure recognition of exam results

“When we left Sudan because of the war, I never thought I would have the chance to continue my studies”, said Musdélifah Adam Arbab, 18, from El Geneina, as she took the exam in the Abéché centre. “When I heard that we would be taking the Sudanese baccalaureate here in Chad, I didn’t take it seriously at first. But thanks to God, the exams are indeed taking place. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to giving us this chance. I really hope to succeed and continue my studies at university”.

“We never imagined that we would have the opportunity to sit the Sudanese baccalaureate here in Chad”, said Abdallah Ahmat Adoum, 21, from El Geneina. “I hope we all succeed and have the opportunity to continue our studies”.

The success of this initiative was made possible by the dedication of volunteers and teachers, support from national and local authorities, financing from UNICEF, and close collaboration with UNHCR and many other partners.

Eastern Chad, where the exams were held, hosts the largest number of Sudanese refugees. Since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan in April 2023, more than 876,000 Sudanese

refugees have sought refuge in Eastern Chad. An estimated 61 per cent of them are children. UNICEF Chad also supports the organization of catch-up and remedial courses for thousands of younger refugee children in several schools of Eastern Chad.

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Notes for Editors

The Sudanese exams in Chad were organized by a Chadian interministerial ad hoc committee gathering the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Vocational Training; the Ministry of National Education and Civic Promotion; and the Ministry of Social Action, Solidarity and Humanitarian Affairs, as well as other partners including the Sudanese Embassy and Consulate in Chad, UNICEF, UNHCR and several national and international NGOs such as JRS, ADES, LMI, IRC et AIRD.

More than 163,000 Sudanese refugee children and youth have access to education in Chad. They are enrolled in public schools and follow the Chadian curriculum, in line with the government of Chad’s refugee inclusion policy. Since 2015, a total of 12,348 Sudanese refugees participated in the Chadian baccalaureate of which 5,919 passed. Education partners work in close collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and Civic Promotion to strengthen absorbing capacities, train teachers and provide teaching and learning materials.

Since the conflict broke out in Sudan, two rounds of Grade 12 Secondary Certificate Examinations have been organized. The first round, conducted between 28 December 2024 and 9 January 2025, successfully reached over 340,000 students. An additional 208, 200 students took the exams during the second round held from 29 June to 10 July 2025. The exams held in Chad further extended access to students who had been displaced across borders.

For more information:

• Anne-Isabelle Leclercq Balde, UNICEF Chad, +235 85062936, [email protected]
• Aristophane Ngargoune , UNHCR Chad, +235 66983792 [email protected]