Education is not just a right- it’s a lifeline. In places where war and instability threaten the future of millions, education has remained a beacon of hope amid adversity. This resilience is powerfully illustrated in stories from Palestine and Sudan, where education, the continuity of learning, persists as a priority despite unimaginable challenges. On this International Education Day 2025, as the world celebrates the right to learning, it is crucial to spotlight the remarkable resilience and innovation that keeps education alive, even in the face of conflict and crisis.
Education in the Face of Crisis
Globally, education systems are among the first casualties of war, with schools destroyed, teachers displaced, and students forced out of classrooms missing out on learning. Yet, education also becomes one of the first steps toward recovery, offering not just relevant learning but a sense of stability, normality, and hope. Organizations like UNICEF, in partnership with governments and communities, have played a pivotal role in ensuring children in crisis-affected regions do not lose access to their right to learn.
Through innovative solutions, community-driven initiatives, and coordinated responses, education has continued to flourish even in some of the world’s most volatile regions. Sudan and Palestine serve as powerful examples, each with unique challenges yet united by the shared determination to prioritize learning.
Sudan: A Classroom Against All Odds
In Sudan, the reality of war has forced millions of children and adolescents out of school. Over 16.5 million are currently without access to education, many of them displaced, living in shelters, or trapped in conflict zones. And yet, education has not been forgotten.
Despite overwhelming challenges, the Sudan Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Grade 12), a pivotal moment for students looking to pursue higher education or career paths, took place at the end of 2024. For many families, this was more than just an exam, it was a symbol of persistence and a lifeline for the future. Out of over 343,000 registered students, half managed to sit for the exams, with a second round planned for those who could not participate in April 2025.
UNICEF played a vital role, supporting 702 exam centres across 12 states. These weren’t just exam halls; they were safe spaces, offering clean water, meals, and essential study supplies like books, pens, and other materials needed to support students in their learning. In active dangerous conflict zones like Darfur and Khartoum, providing a basic level of access was a monumental task.
But it’s not just about exams. Sudan is embracing innovation to tackle its education crisis. Initiatives like the Learning Passport, a digital tool that provides localized education content, and community-managed mobile solar-powered e-learning centres are opening doors for children in even the most remote and dangerous areas. It’s a reminder that even amid a conflict, the right to learn cannot be extinguished.
The State of Palestine: Rebuilding Futures Through Learning
In Palestine, education has long been a lifeline for children facing years of instability. Nowhere is this more evident than in Gaza, where conflict has left schools damaged or destroyed, children traumatized, and resources stretched very thin. Despite these challenges, the collective efforts of UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, and local partners have ensured that learning does not stop.
By December 2024, UNICEF had supported the establishment of 70 learning centres and 75 temporary learning spaces, providing over 70,000 children, half of them girls, with access to continuous learning. These spaces, operating under a minimum entitlement model, offer children the opportunity to learn three days a week for 2 hours per day, fostering a sense of routine and normalcy. Complementary services, such as mental health and psychosocial support, nutritious snacks, and WASH facilities, contribute to addressing the holistic needs of students.
The integration of digital learning has also played a crucial role in Palestine’s education response. For example, initiatives like the use of digital platforms have enabled Tawjihi (grade 12 exam) students and tens of thousands of other learners children to continue their education remotely. This model, combining online learning with community-driven solutions, ensures that even in the most challenging circumstances, students can actively prepare for their future. Learning does not have to wait.
A Shared Story of Hope and Resilience
The stories of Sudan and Palestine underscore a universal truth: Education is not just a right, it is a lifeline. In both countries, education has proven to be a force for resilience, fostering hope and rebuilding communities even in the darkest of times. The efforts to keep learning alive, whether through digital platforms, temporary learning spaces, or nationwide examinations, are testaments to the unwavering belief that every child deserves a chance to learn and thrive.
On this International Education Day, let us celebrate the extraordinary determination of children, adolescents, educators, and communities in Sudan and Palestine. Their powerful stories remind us that education is not merely about textbooks and classrooms; it is about creating pathways to brighter, more peaceful futures.
As we honor the power of education, let us also commit to supporting these efforts because where there is learning, there is hope. And where there is hope, there is the possibility of a better tomorrow.
