UNICEF calls for ensuring that Sudanese students take national exams wherever they are

In a statement issued today, Wednesday, UNICEF Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Etlefa Kadili, said that performing a unified national exam is considered a… “A long-awaited opportunity” For hundreds of thousands of students whose educational journey was disrupted for many years, and who were unable to take exams due to the conflict.

She stressed that the unified exam contributes to ensuring fairness, protects the value of students’ academic qualifications, and prevents divisions that may limit their future opportunities.

added: “For a generation of young people who have already suffered severe educational disruptions as a result of conflict, recognized qualifications are an essential foundation for continuing education, accessing employment, and contributing to Sudan’s recovery. Dispersed certification systems risk creating obstacles that persist beyond the end of the conflict itself, limiting young people’s opportunities long after the fighting has stopped.”

The Regional Director also stressed the need to provide the same nationally recognized examinations throughout Sudan and in countries hosting Sudanese refugees, both in the current examination season and in future seasons. She called on the government and the parties to the conflict to agree on practical mechanisms to ensure that exams are conducted in a consistent and safe manner throughout the country, stressing UNICEF’s readiness to support these efforts.

She stressed that education must remain a neutral space, “It must be protected from divisions, based on the best interests of children and on a clear understanding of what is at stake for an entire generation if this is not achieved.”

Cadili said that taking exams and completing secondary school is not just an important milestone for students, but rather “A vital path towards higher education and acquiring the skills and future opportunities that Sudanese youth deserve.”