Provision of Basic Education Services, including WASH in Schools, for Returnees, IDPs, and Host Communities in Rokero, Golo, Nertiti Localities of Jebel Marra The impact of the conflict in Darfur has been widespread displacement, with some 1.86 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In 2018, displacement took place in areas of Jebel Marra, Central Darfur, with some 24,000 people displaced in Rokero, Golo, Nertiti, and surrounding areas there has been an unprecedented increase in IDP populations from the ongoing hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and active opposition groups. Coupled with the prolonged displacement of existing IDPs in Central Darfur, this influx of IDPs has strained available learning environments beyond their capacity. In addition, the relative improvement in the security situation has influenced the increase of returns, which since 2016 accounts for some 324,000 people, of which 35,000 took place in 2018.

Existing schools in Rokero, Golo, and Nertiti localities are already overburdened with up to 120 students in a single classroom and are failing to provide adequate access to education for displaced populations, returnees, and host communities. These conflict-affected children, many of whom have already missed at least two years of schooling, are threatened with the possibility of falling even further behind. In response to the shortage of available educational services, due to an increasing numbers of IDPs and returnees in the Jebel Marra area, CRS plans to provide educational support to 8721 returnee and IDP children, 60 teachers, and 132 parent-teacher association (PTA) members and 1200 community member in the Rokero, Golo, and Nertiti localities of Central Darfur State.

In March 2019, CRS and the Ministry of Education (MoE) conducted assessments of educational facilities in Rokero, Golo, and Nertiti. In Rokero, the assessment determined that the walls and roofs in most of schools were damaged, and that the assessed classrooms lacked desks, chairs, and latrine facilities for students. In Rokero, Golo, and Nertiti, the assessments also revealed an insufficient number of permanent schools. Existing schools do not have trained teachers sufficient educational supplies or water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Existing classrooms were found to be overcrowded, with as many as 90 to 100 pupils per class. Due to the shortage of adequate facilities, some classes are held in open spaces or under trees.

Through the proposed project, CRS plans to construct 21 semi-permanent classrooms rehabilitate 8 existing classrooms and construct 12 gender-segregated latrines and 24 handwashing stations to serve the communities of Rokero, Golo, and Nertiti in Central Darfur. CRS will also train 60 teachers and 132 PTA members and provide school facilities with 24 blackboards. The project will also provide Alternative Learning Program (ALP) courses reaching 1,200 out-of-school students (primarily girls), giving them the chance to catch-up and eventually, re-enroll in classes at their grade-level. The project will provide 960 desks and benches to poorly- equipped schools, as well as art supplies and recreational kits to reinforce students’ psychosocial wellbeing. The proposed project will reach 8,721 beneficiaries (7,329 children, 60 teachers, 132 PTA members, and 1,200 community members).