Drone Strikes Destroy More Than 292,000 School Textbooks in Sudan.
New York:
Drone strikes on two warehouses in Shikan locality of North Kordofan, Sudan, on September 20 destroyed more than 292,000 school textbooks, along with 40,000 Arabic Language and Mathematics Review Books and other educational materials, according to UNICEF.
The learning materials had been prepared for distribution from October 2026, coinciding with the beginning of the new school year. Supplies were intended for children in several conflict-affected areas, including schools in West Bara, Bara and Um Dam.
UNICEF said the destruction is expected to affect the education of thousands of children, many of whom have already missed years of schooling because of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
“The destruction of these learning materials is a setback for children at a time when every effort is being made to get them back into the classroom,” said Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative in Sudan. She noted that many children have experienced prolonged interruptions to their education and that schools are already struggling with shortages of teachers, desks and learning materials.
Kearney stressed that the loss of the supplies could further undermine children’s access to quality education.
Supplies Destroyed Ahead of New School Year
The destroyed materials were part of efforts to support children returning to school after years of disruption caused by conflict. The supplies included textbooks and review books in key subjects such as Arabic Language and Mathematics.
The loss is particularly significant because delivering education supplies to conflict-affected parts of Sudan is already difficult. Insecurity and access challenges can make it complicated to transport essential materials to schools and communities that need them.
With the new school year approaching, the destruction of the stockpile could create additional shortages for schools and students in the affected areas.
UNICEF Calls for Protection of Education
UNICEF called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The agency emphasized that education supplies and facilities must be protected so that children can continue to exercise their right to education, even amid the conflict.
“Every child has the right to education, and that right must be protected,” Kearney said.
UNICEF also stressed the broader importance of maintaining safe learning opportunities for children affected by the conflict. Schools and educational programmes can provide children with opportunities to continue learning, recover from disruption and build a path toward their future.
The destruction of the educational supplies comes as children across Sudan continue to face major obstacles to accessing education because of conflict, displacement and shortages of basic school resources.
