“Going to school gave me a lot of hope”
After displacement interrupted her education, nine-year-old Nour is learning again in Tawila, North Darfur.
It is a day of celebration in Dali camp, now home to hundreds of displaced families in Tawila, North Darfur. Children, parents and caregivers have gathered to mark the end of the academic year for the UNICEF-supported Alternative Learning Programme (ALP).
Many arrived early to take front-row seats and celebrate the children’s achievements. For children whose education has been disrupted for years, the day is about more than receiving a certificate. It marks another step towards dreams interrupted by the conflict.
Nine-year-old Nour is among the graduates.
A year ago, Nour and her family fled the violence in Al Fasher, arriving in Tawila after a long and difficult journey.
“We suffered a lot after leaving Al Fasher as we tried to find a safe place,” Nour said.
In Al Fasher, schools were closed for many months as families focused on safety and survival. After spending a long time away from school, Nour struggled to remember many of the things she had learned before the conflict began.
A deepening learning crisis
At least eight million children in Sudan remain out of school after continued disruption caused by the conflict. In Darfur alone, more than three million of nearly four million school-aged children are out of school.
Families remain on the move, schools have been damaged or destroyed, and some school buildings are being used as shelters for displaced families.
Where possible, UNICEF is working with the government, partners and communities to reopen schools so children can safely return to learning. UNICEF is also establishing ALP centres that provide catch-up classes for children after prolonged periods away from school. Children enrolled in the programme complete an accelerated curriculum before taking examinations that allow them to transition back into formal education.
When Nour arrived in Tawila, she yearned to return to school. The ALP centre in Dali camp where they settled provided her with that opportunity.
For six months, Nour diligently attended lessons. She worked with her facilitators, took notes in class and completed her assignments on time.
At the award ceremony, Nour steps forward when her name is called, proud of what she has achieved.
She is one of the 6,361 children who recently sat and passed the ALP transition examinations across 25 ALP centres in Tawila serving children from both displaced and host communities. The achievement is an important milestone in restoring access to education for children affected by conflict and displacement.
Supported by German Cooperation through KfW Development Bank, UNICEF’s Strengthening Resilience and Social Cohesion joint programme is expanding Alternative Learning Programmes in Darfur and supporting school management, teachers and access to essential learning materials.
“Coming to Tawila and going to school gave me a lot of hope,” she shared.
