Today, Sunday, River Nile State – northern Sudan officially announced the start of the new school year, and the bell was rung at the Northern Berber Primary School for Boys in the city of Berber.
It is considered one of the first states to officially implement the decision to resume studies issued by the Council of Ministers of the coup government, which directed the safe states to start the school year despite the conditions of the war, while other states stressed the difficulty of implementing the decision in light of hosting displaced people fleeing the war at the headquarters of schools, universities and others.
Fierce battles have been taking place between the army and the Rapid Support since April 15, in the capital Khartoum and other cities, especially Darfur, which led to heavy human and material losses and left harsh humanitarian conditions, and stopped the study and government work wheel and many economic activities.
Accommodating expatriates
Today, the Governor of the River Nile, in charge, Muhammad Al-Badawi Abdul Majid Abu Qarun, addressed the bell-ringing program, announcing the state’s readiness for the school year and readiness to accommodate students and expatriate students while providing school uniforms, school bags, deportation and breakfast for the needy.
He stressed his Government’s interest in education and making it a priority in the overall plans and programmes of the state.
He directed the executive directors of the localities to give utmost importance to education and work to solve the problems and obstacles related to teachers and schools with the required speed, and appealed to families and educational councils to focus their attention on education.
The governor welcomed the absorption of pupils and expatriate students in the state’s schools, which numbered more than one hundred and fifty thousand, with the continuation of the count.
Reconciling the situation of expatriates
For his part, the Director General of the Ministry of Education in the state, Minister designate Ismail Al-Azhari Al-Bushra, affirmed his confidence in teachers, educational councils, relevant ministries and organizations, in the strong stand with the ministry to join efforts to stabilize the school year despite obstacles and exceptional circumstances.
He announced the launch of the educational platform for UNICEF, which helps in obtaining courses, especially the third grade course, which will also be available on the ministry’s website.
Al-Azhari said the ministry was keen to continue studying despite the war conditions because any postponement would affect the school-age age group.
For his part, the executive director of Berber locality, Hassan Ibrahim Karrar, described the decision of the governor of the River Nile to open schools as a courageous decision, noting that this reflects the security and stability enjoyed by the people of the state.
Karrar revealed that the conditions of expatriates have been reconciled by providing alternative and suitable housing with water and electricity services, and said that arrangements will be made with the education departments in the locality to accommodate students and expatriate students in Berber schools.
The decision of the Council of Ministers of the coup issued in early October, provoked mixed reactions, and was met with great rejection.
Although the Sudanese Teachers’ Committee confirmed that its position is in favor of continuing the study and not disrupting in principle, it warned of the reality of the states not affected by the war, which cannot be implemented because schools have become a shelter for the displaced, in addition to the fact that displaced students or refugees with their families are a significant number, and warned that the step contributes to the fragmentation and division of the country.
In addition, teachers have not paid their salaries since the war began, and some have received one or two months’ salaries, making their conditions very dire.
Source: Al-Taghyeer
