South Darfur Education Ministry delays start of school year for girls

The Ministry of Education and the government of South Darfur on Sunday announced a decision to postpone the start of the school year for basic and secondary education for girls. The school year was scheduled to start for basic and secondary education on 23 and 30 June respectively. The reason behind the decision is not clear, “except that it was implemented under the guidance of the council of ministers of the South Darfur state,” the announcement reads. Observers believe that the fuel crisis and high prices that the State of South Darfur has been experiencing lately was the trigger for the decision. Some citizens and car owners tried to demonstrate on Saturday at Al Sug Al Shabi in Nyala against the lack of fuel and the rise of prices, but the police and security services managed to contain the demonstration at its initial stages. File photo Related: Power, water cuts, fuel shortages hinder commerce in Nyala, South Darfur (11 June 2013)