UN Security Council Meeting: Protecting Education in Sudan

The United Nations Security Council held an Arria-formula meeting focused on the protection of education in Sudan, where international officials addressed the severe impact of ongoing conflict on schools, students, and teachers. According to UN briefings, the war has devastated educational infrastructure across the country, leaving millions of children out of school and threatening an entire generation’s future.

Impact of the Sudan Conflict on Educational Infrastructure

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has severely damaged or destroyed thousands of schools since the conflict escalated. According to UNICEF and humanitarian agencies monitoring the crisis, hundreds of educational facilities have been occupied by armed groups, converted into shelters for displaced families, or looted. The disruption leaves more than 19 million children out of the classroom, creating one of the worst education crises globally.

Teachers across Sudan face severe safety risks and prolonged non-payment of salaries. According to human rights monitors, educators have been subjected to displacement, threats, and targeted violence, forcing many to flee their homes. The collapse of the national education budget prevents regional authorities from maintaining facilities or providing learning materials, halting remote learning initiatives due to widespread power outages and internet shutdowns.

International Diplomatic Response and Arria-Formula Discussions

During the UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting, diplomats and human rights advocates stressed the urgent need to hold perpetrators accountable for attacks on schools. According to statements delivered during the session, civilian infrastructure—including educational institutions—must remain protected under international humanitarian law. Member states urged warring factions to immediately halt military use of schools and to facilitate humanitarian access for educational supplies.

The Arria-formula format allowed non-governmental organizations and specialized UN agencies to brief the council directly on the ground realities in Khartoum, Darfur, and other conflict zones. Speakers highlighted that failing to restore education in Sudan risks fueling long-term instability, radicalization, and economic stagnation across the region. International partners called for increased donor funding specifically earmarked for emergency education programs and safe learning spaces for displaced children.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many children are out of school in Sudan due to the conflict? According to UN estimates, more than 19 million children are currently out of school as a direct result of the war.
• What is an Arria-formula meeting? An Arria-formula meeting is an informal, confidential gathering of the UN Security Council that allows members to have direct dialogues with human rights experts and officials outside formal chamber procedures.
• Are schools being used for military purposes in Sudan? Yes, international monitors report that armed groups have occupied numerous educational facilities, converting them into military outposts or shelters for displaced civilians.