Al Daein, October 25 (Darfur24)
The local administration and community leaders in Adila and Abu Karinka localities, East Darfur State, have launched local initiatives to support the resumption of education after more than two years of disruption caused by the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The new school year has officially started in East Darfur for the first time since the conflict erupted in April 2023. The state, now under RSF control, continues to face major challenges in restoring education, especially after the federal government froze the activities of public institutions, including the Ministry of Education.
Speaking to residents in the Al-Mazroub administrative unit of Adila locality, the Deputy Chief of the Ma’alia tribe, Abdul-Mannan Musa Saghiroun, said the initiative comes at a time when the education sector faces immense difficulties.
He explained that the native administration would lead efforts to help children return to school. In Abu Karinka, Saghiroun said each farmer would contribute a sack of peanuts, while residents living abroad would send cash donations to support schools.
Funds collected will be managed by school committees to pay teacher incentives, provide learning materials, and maintain school buildings.
Similar community-driven initiatives have also been launched in Yassin, Sha’iriya, and Bahr al-Arab localities, where they have been widely welcomed.
On October 1, the Ministry of Education and Guidance in East Darfur, operating under the civilian administration formed by the RSF, announced the start of the new school year.
To address shortages of teachers, desks, and textbooks, the ministry has merged some schools to make them co-educational.
Many schools in East Darfur were looted during the war, losing furniture, equipment, and building materials, while others were turned into shelters for displaced people.