Sudanese Private Schools in Egypt

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. With Him, we begin, and with our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we follow.

First and foremost, after the grace and assistance of Allah Almighty, we extend our gratitude to all those who stood by us and contributed to the successful completion of the Sudanese Certificate Examination, both within and outside Sudan, especially in these challenging and exceptional circumstances.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the government and people of our sister country, the Arab Republic of Egypt, for their hospitality and support. One significant example is hosting the Sudanese Certificate Examination on Egyptian soil.

On the other hand, some countries, such as Chad, refused to allow these exams to be conducted on their land, a decision that is inhumane and unethical. We pray to Allah for the success of our students.

The major concern for most Sudanese families displaced to Egypt is the future of their children’s education and enrolling them in Sudanese private schools amidst the high registration fees. The issue is beyond comprehension.

Is it reasonable for displaced families who arrived in Egypt under extraordinary circumstances, having lost everything in the war, to be asked to pay exorbitant fees in addition to other family obligations such as rent, living expenses, and medical care?

This issue remains unresolved and represents a humanitarian crisis for everyone involved. Denying an entire generation of children access to mandatory public education is a violation of children’s rights granted by Allah and a critical necessity to combat ignorance, disease, and poverty.

There is a clear shortcoming, chaos, and disorganization in addressing this issue. The chaos is evident in the unjustified increase in tuition fees at private schools and the random decisions made by some parents who lack awareness of their rights and their children’s rights.

Additionally, the puzzling silence from officials at the Sudanese Embassy in Egypt exacerbates the problem. No practical steps have been taken to address the challenges faced by the displaced Sudanese community, particularly the issue of high tuition fees.

Are all members of the Sudanese community in Egypt living in luxury, enabling them to pay these high tuition fees?

Has the war left these families with enough resources to educate their children?

Do the high tuition fees reflect actual services provided by private schools, or are they merely a result of exploitation and greed?

Has the Sudanese Embassy engaged with private school owners to discuss reducing fees, or has the matter been left to those who can afford it?

1. Engage with Local and International Organizations

The responsible parties, in coordination with the Sudanese Embassy in Egypt, should engage with local, regional, and international organizations, as well as civil society groups such as UNICEF, to present a clear plan for securing support for these children.

2. Strategic Partnerships with Private School Owners

Organizations can provide funding to cover rent, teacher salaries, and service costs in exchange for reducing tuition fees to symbolic levels.

3. Surveying Displaced Families and Their Needs

Responsible parties should conduct a census of displaced children and their families and coordinate with relevant organizations to ensure they receive the necessary support to access education.

4. Awareness and Social Pressure

Sudanese families must raise their voices through peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins to highlight their children’s right to free education.

In conclusion, we issue an urgent appeal to all civil society organizations, international bodies, charitable institutions, and activists in human rights, including UNICEF.

We urge you to take immediate action to address the education crisis for displaced Sudanese children in Egypt. We call on you to provide the necessary support to cover tuition fees or establish free private schools for these children. Education is a fundamental human right that must be available to everyone without exception.

May Allah help us all, and peace be upon those who follow the guidance.