Darfur schools score lowest in Sudan Certificate Exams

The five states of Darfur occupy the bottom rungs in the Sudanese certificate examinations for this year, according to results announced recently by the Ministry of General Education. No Darfuri student has been listed among the top 100, with South Darfur and East Darfur ranking last on the list. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a teacher has attributed the decline of Darfur in the educational process in general and the Sudanese certificate in particular to the state governments: “Lack of attention, weak spending on education, serious shortages and horrible deterioration in infrastructure,” he laments. “There is a shortage of schools, teachers, books, educational material and seating,” he says. “There is also a lack of trained teachers capable of delivering lessons in a competent manner. Poverty and displacement are, of course major contributors to the decline in Darfur,” he concedes. At the other end of the spectrum, the state of El Gezira has topped the list for the Sudanese Certificate Examinations followed by Khartoum State. File photo of Darfuri schoolboys by Albert González Farran/Unamid Related: ‘Admin, logistic delays postpone start of Central Darfur school year’: Minister (21 June 2013) South Darfur Education Ministry delays start of school year for girls (17 June 2013)