Education

Introduction

Education has existed in Sudanese society in its communal form, represented by Khalwas (traditional Quranic schools) and mosques, since the spread of Islam. The Sultanate of Sennar and the Mahdist State both prioritized education.

While the history of education in Sudan dates back centuries—bolstered by the expansion of Quranic schools—the first formal school following the Western model was established in Khartoum in 1855 during the Turco-Egyptian era. Prominent scholars of the time, such as Rifa'a al-Tahtawi, were brought in to lead these efforts.

Educational Reforms and Structure

Since independence, the educational system has undergone several reforms, the most recent of which was in 1986. These reforms resulted in an educational ladder consisting of three stages:

• The First Stage: Known as Pre-school education, catering to children aged four to six, primarily through kindergartens.
• The Second Stage: Basic Education, which enrolls students starting from the age of six and lasts for eight years.
• The Third Stage: Multi-disciplinary Secondary Education (academic, technical, and religious), spanning three years. At its conclusion, students sit for exams to qualify for higher education at universities and specialized higher institutes. Sudan hosts 19 universities, the most prominent of which is the University of Khartoum.

Women's Education and Literacy Rates :

Women's education in Sudan has long been a priority. The Ahfad School, founded in Omdurman by Sheikh Babiker Badri in 1922, was the pioneer in female education. Today, girls' schools account for one-third of all public schools in Sudan, and the Ahfad School has evolved into a dedicated women's university. According to 2002 World Bank estimates, the adult literacy rate (ages 15 and older) stands at 60%, while the youth illiteracy rate (ages 15-24) is approximately 23%.

Literacy and Adult Education:

 Educational policy aims to eradicate both alphabetical and functional (civilizational) illiteracy, empowering citizens to advance and enhancing their social efficacy. The literacy strategy targeted eight million citizens, representing 48% of the productive workforce (ages 5-54) and 61% of out-of-school youth (ages 9-41).

"Civilizational Literacy" refers to eradicating alphabetical illiteracy within the framework of social change—addressing developmental challenges and involving women in development programs by eliminating illiteracy.

Additionally, "Quranic Script Literacy" is designed for groups seeking religious education, aiming to teach reading and writing through Quranic texts, while providing an Islamic perspective on health, social development, and general culture in its second phase.