By Hashim Zakaria
Zhashim2024@gmail.com
July 28, 2025
The suspension of U.S. aid has made things much harder for refugee students in eastern Chad, threatening years of progress made toward improving education in the camps. According to Mr. Abdurrahim Abdulkrim, Principal of Farchana High School, the abrupt halt in funding has had a devastating effect on both students and teachers. “Some students and teachers have already left the schools due to a lack of resources,” Abdulkrim explained. “Overall, student achievement has dropped significantly because of this funding gap.”
Former principals Mr. Ibrahim Idris (Brejing High School) and Mr. Yousif Abdurrahman (Treguine High School) confirmed that pass rates have fallen to an alarming 40%, down from a previously steady 60%. This sharp decline underscores the dire consequences of inadequate financial and institutional support.
Unanswered Promises of Support
According to Mr. Abdurrahim, despite ongoing challenges, local educators and community leaders remain committed to securing international support. Recently, they met with representatives from the European Union to discuss funding for refugee education. Although EU officials expressed interest and said they would “look into the matter,” no concrete action has followed.
The lack of response from donor countries, combined with the silence of international NGOs, has left these students in a precarious position. Without reliable funding sources, schools are struggling to maintain even the most basic educational standards.
2023 Exam Candidates: A Shrinking Future
As mentioned in my previous report, Chadian authorities initially barred refugee students from sitting for the 2023 high school exams. Although the ban was eventually lifted, the total number of candidates remains shockingly small compared to the need.
From surveys I conducted across five refugee camps, only 1,345 students registered for the 2023 exams:
Gender breakdown:
• Girls: 967 students (~71.9%)
• Boys: 378 students (~28.1%)
• Total: 1,345 students
This graph shows 2023 High School Exam Participation by Refugee Camp and Gender Demographics
Student Demographics Analysis
- Girls make up the majority, with 967 students, which is approximately 71.9% of the total.
- Boys account for 378 students, about 28.1% of the total.
- Grand Total: 1,345 students.
Key Observations:
- Gender Imbalance:
There is a significant gender gap among students taking the high school exam, with nearly 3 out of 4 students being girls.
- Implications:
This could reflect higher female enrollment or retention in education within these refugee camps.
3- May also signal a need to investigate barriers to education for boys, such as child labor, early migration, or social responsibilities.
When compared to the 13,000 students confirmed by Malik Agar, Vice President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, it becomes evident that the vast majority of refugee students remain unable to even sit for these critical exams.
Tragically, those who are preparing to take the exams are doing so without any meaningful support, neither from Sudanese authorities nor from international NGOs.
The factors have contributed to this decline:
- Lack of financial support from international donors and local governments.
- Psychological trauma and war-related displacement leave many students unable to focus on their studies.
- Economic hardship, pushing students into child labor, mining, or other income-generating activities to support their families.
- Absence of consistent funding from UN agencies, NGOs, or government programs.
With only 40% of students managing to pass high school exams and an even smaller percentage continuing to higher education, the future of Darfur’s displaced youth remains uncertain. Education is not only a human right but also a lifeline for rebuilding war-torn communities. Without immediate and coordinated intervention from the international community, an entire generation of students may be left behind, trapped in cycles of poverty, psychological distress, and educational neglect.
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