A Sudanese educator displaced by conflict has taken on a leadership role in a refugee camp in Chad, overseeing a school that serves over a thousand students. Sahra, who trained as a teacher and studied education administration in Sudan, fled her home country in 2023 when armed conflict erupted. She now directs a primary school established in an eastern Chad refugee settlement, working alongside dozens of other educators from the displaced community.
The school operates in two daily shifts to accommodate its growing enrollment and teaches core subjects including mathematics, science, and languages. However, educators face significant challenges adapting to Chad’s curriculum standards while navigating language barriers between Sudanese and Chadian students. Teachers have called for additional professional development to strengthen their ability to deliver instruction within the Chadian system.
Beyond academics, the school serves as a protective space for vulnerable children. Aid organizations have integrated child welfare support alongside classroom instruction, creating environments where students can develop socially and emotionally. Parents view education as essential to their children’s safety, shielding them from the dangers present in the wider camp. Despite these efforts, hundreds of unaccompanied children remain without formal schooling, prompting community leaders to advocate for expanded educational access throughout the refugee settlements.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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