In Sudan’s White Nile State, the reopening of schools is helping displaced and local communities recover from conflict and restore hope for children whose education was disrupted. In Al Jabalain village, classrooms that once stood empty have been repaired and furnished, allowing hundreds of children, including over 700 girls, to return to learning. For parents, the reopening represents not only education but also a renewed sense of safety and normalcy for their daughters.
The state currently hosts around 400,000 refugees and 460,000 internally displaced people, and enrolment has surged since schools reopened. Refugees from South Sudan, displaced Sudanese, and local children are now studying side by side, marking a return to education after more than two years of interruption. Teachers describe the reopening as a gift, giving them dignity in their work and offering children a chance to rebuild their futures.
Among the students is 17‑year‑old Omnia, displaced from Khartoum, who dreams of becoming a surgeon. For her, returning to school feels like life beginning again. Despite painful memories of displacement, she finds strength in lessons, classmates, and the hope that education will help her build a better future. She believes education is especially important for girls, enabling them to grow stronger and pass knowledge on to future generations.
Across Sudan, millions of children lost access to education as schools were closed or used as shelters. UNHCR and partners, working with Sudan’s Ministry of Education, are rehabilitating schools and providing materials for pupils and teachers. This effort is funded through the PROSPECTS Partnership, which bridges humanitarian response and long‑term development by investing in inclusive education and integrating refugees into national systems.
By repairing schools, supplying resources, and supporting teachers, the initiative strengthens Sudan’s national education system rather than creating parallel structures. Refugee children study the same curriculum as their Sudanese peers, learning not only academic subjects but also values of tolerance and mutual understanding. These interventions are laying foundations for stability and recovery, ensuring that displaced and host communities can learn together.
As Omnia continues her studies, she dreams of peace and hopes that all children forced out of school will one day return to classrooms. For her and many others, education is not only about learning but also about rebuilding Sudan into a stronger, more resilient country.
