Training
In theory, all children in Sudan should
receive free, compulsory compulsory education for eight
years from the age of six. The UN agency, however,
estimated in 2017 that only six out of ten children
started school. In addition, the dropouts are many.
Almost half of the students go on to secondary school.
It is mainly children in the countryside who do not
attend school. Particularly high is the proportion of
children from nomadic ethnic groups. The same applies to
children growing up in conflict-affected areas.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Country facts of Sudan, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
In the public schools, the quality of education is
low. State grants to schools are insufficient. The
government is making certain efforts to raise the level
of education in the country and special support is
directed to girls and children belonging to nomadic
people. In the past, fewer girls than boys attended
school, but that difference has diminished.
There are no separate statistics for the Darfur
region, where an armed conflict and mass displacement of
civilians have hit the school system, among other
things.
Although schooling is to be free of charge, parents
often have to pay for school uniforms and teaching
materials and sometimes also teachers' salaries. During
the economic crisis at the end of the 2010 ceiling, the
dropouts among the children increased.
There is a large shortage of educated teachers, and
those who are there are often attracted by more
attractive jobs in Arab countries.
Elementary school is followed by a three-year high
school. Sudan has several universities, the most
important of which is the University of Khartoum. There
is also an Islamic university and one for women only.
- Educationvv: Provides school and education information in Sudan, covering middle school, high school and college education.

FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary school
60.4 percent (2017)
Reading and writing skills
60.7 percent (2018) 1
Public expenditure on education as a percentage of
GDP
10.8 percent (2009)
Public expenditure on education as a percentage of
the state budget
10.8 percent (2009)
- Source: UnescoSources
2017
November
Milil leader in Darfur arrested
November 26th
Struggles erupt in the city of Mustariaha in Northern Darfur between a
militia group led by the influential Musa Hilal, formerly close aide to
President al-Bashir, and the Rapid Support Force (RSF). The RSF tells media that
it lost ten men in the fighting, but that Musa Hilal with three sons and several
of his militia have been arrested and taken to Khartoum. The UN has accused Musa
Hilal of violating human rights in connection with the war in Darfur.
al-Bashir does not stand for re-election
November 16
President al-Bashir announces that he will step down for the 2020
presidential election and instead support the state of Gezira's Governor Mohamed
Tahir Ayala if he chooses to run for office. The play comes at the same time as
US Deputy Foreign Minister John Sullivan visits Sudan. Sullivan says the United
States is ready to discuss removing Sudan from the list of states that fund
terrorism. Some judges say it is also about increasing al-Bashir's chances of
having the ICC court dismissed.
Exchange rates change and state aid is lowered
November 15
In an attempt to attract foreign investment, after the United States lifted
trade sanctions against Sudan, the finance minister decides that the country's
official and unofficial exchange rates should remain the same. At the same time,
the state is reducing subsidies on fuel and electricity, also with the aim of
attracting investors from abroad.
October
New EU aid package
October 24th
The European Commission decides to provide Sudan with a € 106 million ($ 124
million) aid package after calculating that 4.8 million residents are in urgent
need of assistance. EUR 46 million will go to humanitarian aid such as food,
nutrition, healthcare, schools, housing and water and sewage. The remaining 60
million will help refugees and the communities that receive them. The UN has
appealed for $ 804 million in aid to Sudan, but has so far received only 39
percent of that amount (just over $ 313 million).
First transactions in dollars
October 12
Sudan makes its first US dollar foreign currency transactions after the US
imposed financial sanctions on the Khartoum government. The transactions are
done with the US and Europe.
The government extends the unilateral ceasefire
October 9
The Sudanese government in Khartoum extends the unilateral ceasefire in the
conflict areas of Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kurdufan for another two months.
The United States raises most economic sanctions
October 9
The United States is lifting most of the trade and economic sanctions it has
directed against Sudan since 1997. The reason for the decision is that Sudan has
made progress in the fight against terrorism and that the Sudanese government's
respect for human rights has improved. However, Sudan remains on the US list of
countries in the world that sponsor terrorism. In addition, President al-Bashir
is still wanted by the International Criminal Court ICC for suspected war
crimes. The United States imposed sanctions for Sudan in the mid-1990s to
provide a sanctuary for Saudi terrorist leader Usama Bin Ladin.
September
The US cancels the entry ban
September 25
The US Trump administration is lifting the entry ban to the US for citizens
from a number of Muslim countries, including Sudan. The ban was introduced to
reduce the risk of terrorist acts in the United States (see March 2017).
Sudan welcomes the decision.
July
The ceasefire is extended
July 2
President al-Bashir extends the government's unilateral ceasefire in Darfur,
Blue Nile and South Kurdufan by almost four months to October 31, 2017.
June
Unamid is greatly reduced
June 29
The UN Security Council unanimously decides to reduce the peacekeeping force
Unamid in Darfur by at least 30 percent. It should be done in two phases. In
January 2018, the number of soldiers will be reduced from 13,000 to 11,400 and
then to 8,735 soldiers by June 2018. The number of police officers will be
reduced from today's 3,150 to 2,888 in January 2018 and thereafter to 2,500 in
June 2018. The Sudanese government commented committed to the fact that the
reduction in troops is proof that the conflict in Darfur is now finally over,
while human rights organizations warned of the risk of violent violence.
May
New government takes office
May 12
Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh presents his new government with Hamed
Mannan as Interior Minister and Mohamed Osman al-Rikabi as Finance Minister. The
Foreign Minister and the Minister of Defense from the Bashir Government remain
in their posts.
Thousands flee the city of Pajok
April 7
More than 6,000 people have, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR,
relocated Pajok in southern Sudan since government forces began a week ago to
attack the city, which is controlled by opponents. 135 people are said to have
been killed. The refugees are searching for northern Uganda.
March
Sudanese entry ban to USA
March 7
In a revised presidential decree, US new President Donald Trump decides that
citizens from a number of Muslim countries, including Sudan, should not be
allowed to enter the United States. The reason for the entry ban is stated to be
to increase security in the US by reducing the risk of terrorist acts. Sudan
deeply regrets the decision and expresses its "dissatisfaction".
Prime Minister takes office
March 2
Sudan receives a prime minister for the first time since the 1989 military
coup, when al-Bashir took power and the prime minister's post was abolished. The
ruling party NCP appoints former army general Bakri Hassan Saleh to the post.
Saleh is close ally to al-Bashir and participated in the coup himself.
January
The ceasefire is extended for six months
January 15
The government decides to extend the ceasefire in Darfur, the Blue Nile and
the South Kurdufan for another six months.
The United States raises some sanctions
January 13
The US government is lifting some of the trade and economic sanctions it has
directed against Sudan. It has happened since the Khartoum government announced
that it will cease the bombing of Darfur and will not give sanctuary to rebel
soldiers from South Sudan.
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