The refugee population in Khartoum is considerably young: 40% are under the age of 18 years, which implies a need for adequate education services at all levels. In the 2018 participatory assessment, Yemeni children reported beatings at school, harassment on their way to school and lack of school kits as the main challenges that they face in accessing education. They added that causes for these challenges are lack of clear education policies and follow up. In the 2019/2020 school year, UNHCR continues to focus on education as one of the important factors for social inclusion for refugees that will equip them with skills and knowledge and empower them to participate effectively in the community. The majority of the Yemeni refugees are living in Khartoum town and most of their children attend national public schools.
In 2018, Sudan’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2019-2023 was finalized and endorsed by the Minister for Education, the Cabinet and various international agencies among other key stakeholders. For the first time the plan included refugee education. The document also proposes to absorb the refugee volunteer teachers into the Ministry of Education (MoE) systems. In addition to this, the federal MoE also set up a team to develop a sub-strategy on Refugee Education to guide the sector on this aspect. The aim is to ensure that refugee education will be fully mainstreamed into the national system. Also, the Education Management Information System (EMIS) included a refugee questionnaire to collect data on refugee children. This was rolled out across the country and the data collection, analysis, reporting and dissemination will be concluded in 2019. Going forward, the EMIS process will be undertaken annually. In 2020, UNHCR will support the government in the implementation of all these initiatives as they play a key role in furthering the refugee education agenda.
In 2020, UNHCR will continue its education assistance, with a focus on improving the learning environment for the national schools hosting Yemeni refugees. As part of its comprehensive response, UNHCR will support these schools with additional construction or rehabilitation work as necessary. The targeted schools are also in need of furniture, school supplies and educational materials. UNHCR will support the schools with school supplies to carter for the needs of the refugee and host community children. The support will also include formation of children’s clubs as one of the mechanisms that makes the schools more attractive for children. Vulnerable refugee children will be supported with enrolment fees, tuition fees and transportation fees as needed.
Capacity building for teachers and parent-teacher association (PTA)s will remain high on the agenda in 2020 and has also been included in the prioritized budget UNHCR will also support capacity building initiatives for teachers and PTAs in refugee hosting schools incorporating protection issues associated with refugee children.