Rebuilding Sudan: Values Before Structures

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

We begin in His name and follow the example of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

First, we offer prayers for the souls of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the dignity, honor, and unity of Sudan. We also pray for the innocent victims of our people who were unjustly killed. May Allah grant swift recovery to the wounded who fought to defend Sudan’s pride and unity. We extend our condolences to all those oppressed during this catastrophic war, a conflict that has shattered our nation without regard for the sanctity of war itself.

War, though destructive, has historically been viewed as a human and social phenomenon with noble aspects when fought for legitimate causes—victory or martyrdom. It traditionally upholds ethical principles, including treating prisoners humanely, sparing women, the elderly, and the innocent, and avoiding unnecessary destruction of crops or infrastructure. However, what has transpired in Sudan does not reflect these values. Instead, we have witnessed atrocities: mistreatment of prisoners, assaults on women, the killing of the elderly, and widespread destruction. These acts betray the essence of war as a dignified struggle for just causes.

A Nation Rebuilt by Its People

Strong nations are built by honorable and committed citizens who understand the value of their homeland and the sanctity of its soil. To build a strong Sudanese state, we must first distinguish between the good and the corrupt, ensuring that only the righteous lead our efforts.

A Vision for Education Reform

The cornerstone of Sudan’s future lies in education. We must:

1. Mandate Public Education: Implement compulsory, state-supervised public education, and halt private education in the public sector. The government must develop scientific, objective curricula, ensure proper teaching methods, and create conducive learning environments.

2. Enhance Teacher Training: Prepare skilled and ethical educators to nurture the next generation.

3. Adopt Global Best Practices: Learn from countries that have successfully developed their public education systems.

4. Invest Heavily in Education: Allocate at least $10 billion annually to public education, focusing on schools, teacher training, textbooks, and student welfare.

A robust public education system is the foundation for cultivating competent, patriotic citizens. This requires long-term strategic planning, with a 30-year vision extending to 2050. From kindergarten to university, the government must ensure access to quality education and provide students with research resources to excel.

Addressing Private Education

The proliferation of private schools and universities has compromised education quality. Many private institutions prioritize profit over pedagogy, leading to poorly prepared graduates who lack scientific capabilities and national identity. This issue was evident in the recent youth uprisings, where demands for freedom, justice, and equality were driven by legitimate grievances but lacked alignment with Sudanese cultural values.

To address this, the state must:

Regulate private education and limit the opening of new universities.

Align higher education with national needs, ensuring that academic programs match labor market demands.

Strengthen vocational and technical training centers to support agricultural and industrial development.

The Role of Government in Education

The state has largely withdrawn from funding public education, leaving it in the hands of private entities. This neglect has produced generations disconnected from Sudanese values and lacking scientific and cultural depth. Reforming education requires acknowledging past mistakes and committing to systemic change.

Values Before Structures

The journey to a stronger Sudan begins with rebuilding values before infrastructure. Education, infused with national pride and guided by ethical principles, must be the bedrock of our reconstruction efforts. Only then can we foster a generation capable of driving Sudan toward peace, security, and prosperity.

May Allah guide and support us.

Peace be upon those who follow the guidance.