Al-Junaynah, August 04 (Darfur24)
The Ministry of Education and Guidance in West Darfur State has announced that the new academic year will begin on August 16, alongside an increase in school fees agreed with the state’s civil administration.
The head of the civil administration, Tijani Al-Tahir Karshoum, stated that kindergarten fees have been raised from SDG 200,000 to SDG 250,000, while fees for primary and intermediate schools have increased from SDG 300,000 to SDG 400,000. Secondary school fees were raised from SDG 400,000 to SDG 500,000.
Karshoum noted that teachers continue to work under extremely difficult conditions to ensure children have access to education despite the challenges posed by the war.
He described investment in education as essential to achieving development and addressing security and social challenges, stressing the administration’s commitment to supporting the sector.
The ministry’s director, Abu Bakr Nasser, revealed that preparations for the new school year are progressing and classes will begin as scheduled.
He said 13 schools in Krink locality and 20 schools in Al-Junaynah will reopen with support from humanitarian organizations, while the remaining schools will rely on community initiatives, with several organizations pledging additional assistance.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Saleh Othman, the director of secondary education, called for urgent support to provide textbooks, improve the working environment for education staff, and address a severe shortage of classroom furniture.
He said many students continue to sit or sleep on tarpaulins inside classrooms because desks and chairs were lost during the conflict.
Othman also urged the provision of school meals to reduce dropout rates and improve attendance, alongside expanded teacher training and increased support for nomadic schools, which continue to face shortages of teachers and educational materials.