Khartoum, October 22 (Darfur24)
Teachers in Khartoum State staged a general strike to demand higher wages and payment of outstanding dues dating back to 2023, with schools responding differently.
During a field visit, Darfur24 observed that some schools had closed completely, while others continued classes as usual.
Sami Al-Baqir, spokesperson for the Sudanese Teachers Committee, told Darfur24 that the strike was driven by what he described as extremely harsh conditions, including a sharp deterioration in living standards due to hyperinflation and the authorities’ failure to address teachers’ rights.
He said the teachers were demanding an increase in the minimum wage from 12,000 Sudanese pounds to 500,000 pounds, payment of accumulated savings and salary arrears dating back to 2023, and outstanding allowances and bonuses.
Their demands also include centralized funding for the education sector to ensure regular salary payments and improvements to deteriorating school conditions, Al-Baqir said.
He described the strike’s first day as successful, saying initial field reports indicated widespread participation.
According to the committee’s estimates, participation was high in Karari and East Nile localities, while strike rates exceeded 90% in Bahri, Ombada and Jebel Awliya.
Al-Baqir called on the authorities to address teachers’ grievances, describing them as central to the education system. He said the strike would continue, and the committee is scheduled to meet on Saturday to decide its next steps for the following week.
