East Darfur students, teachers affected by insecurity

The government of East Darfur has revealed that security problems in the state have had a negative effect on the education, and affected students and teachers alike. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, the state Minister of Education, Siddig Abdelnabi Ahmed, said that the deteriorated security situation led to a large number of pupils and students leaving their studies. The state has also lost several scarce specialty teachers. Abdelnabi Ahmed said that in addition, his Ministry faces a shortage of seating materials, textbooks, and teachers for the schools. There are also difficulties in the rehabilitation of the schools with fixed materials. On 26 October, school lessons were resumed again in East Darfur, after a teachers’ strike that lasted over 50 days against the non-payment of their salaries. At least 47 tribesmen were killed in fighting that broke out between Ma’aliya and Rizeigat in Um Rakuba on 16 August. Government troops were deployed as buffer forces, to no avail, as three days later fierce clashes erupted in the area of Um Rakuba in Abu Karinka locality, reportedly after an attack by Rizeigat on Ma’aliya citizens in the area. Hundreds of people were killed. File photo: Children in a basic school in Labado, East Darfur (Unamid) Related: East Darfur schools to re-open on Sunday (23 October 2014) Troops deployed in East Darfur as buffer against tribal clashes (9 October 2014) ‘Hundreds’ die in Ma’aliya, Rizeigat fighting in East Darfur (20 August 2014)