Sudanese Education
Educational System
Years of civil war and famine have negatively affected the educational system in Sudan. People were struggling to take care of their basic needs, so education was not a priority. In 1990, the government announced educational reforms. However, the quality of education depends on where a person lives and what his or her social class is. Many families cannot send their children to school because conditions are too dangerous or the children are needed to work to help support the family. Also, it is expensive to send a child to school, and if a family does not have the money, then the student usually has to work instead of getting an education. Sudan has a 42% illiteracy rate because many people never had the opportunity to learn how to read and write. For those who are able to go to school, there are 4 levels of primary school. Schooling is compulsory for children aged 6 to 14, but this is not often enforced. Students learn math, science, social studies, language arts, and Islam. In many areas, students must find their own transportation for school. There are not enough qualified teachers. Most schools don’t have a cafeteria, so students have to go home to eat. If they live far away, this can be a problem. Only 50% of Sudanese children actually complete primary school. After primary school, a student must pass an exam to go to secondary school, which last two years. Secondary school is segregated by gender. Boys can learn a vocational skill, while girls study homemaking. Classes at all levels are usually big. The average class size is 46, but in some areas the number is as high as 86 students in each class. In recent years, more females have gone on to college.
School Day
We were lucky, because our school had a lot of resources that other schools don't have. The school that we attended meets from 7 am to 2 pm. There is a bus that takes the students to school. Students eat lunch at school. There are no morning announcements on the p.a. system. Instead, the students stand outside and have an assembly. Different students go on stage to read the announcements for the day. We don't get reports each quarter. At the end of the year, there is one big report that has all of the student's grades. Boys and girls must wear uniforms, and girls also have to wear the Muslim head scarf, hijab.
Student Teacher Relationship
Students have both male and female teachers. Teachers use corporal punishment when the students misbehave. Depending on the teachers, students can have a friendly relationship with them. However, all Sudanese students know that they should not talk back or disobey the teacher. Parents will usually side with the teacher if there is any kind of disagreement.
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