07/06/2026
Parallel Sudanese Secondary Examinations Begin in RSF-Controlled Areas, Raising Concerns Over Division
NYALA
Parallel Sudanese Secondary School Certificate Examinations commenced on Sunday in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across Darfur and Kordofan, marking the first such initiative since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023. The move has sparked growing concerns about its potential impact on the country's educational system and national unity.
RSF commander and head of the parallel government’s Presidential Council, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), officially launched the examinations in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, in the presence of local officials, teachers, and students. He described the examinations as an important step toward restoring educational stability and ensuring learning opportunities for students who have been unable to sit for national exams during the conflict.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the examinations are being conducted in 83 centers across Darfur and parts of North and West Kordofan. An estimated 280,000 students in conflict-affected areas have missed secondary school examinations over the past three years due to the ongoing war.
The RSF currently controls most of Darfur and significant parts of Kordofan, while the internationally recognized Sudanese government continues to administer its official examinations in areas under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The development has raised concerns among educators and academic observers, who warn that separate examination systems could further entrench Sudan’s political and administrative divisions. Several national initiatives and education stakeholders have called for keeping education separate from the conflict and ensuring a unified examination process for all Sudanese students.
The Sudanese government held its official secondary school examinations in April, with more than 564,000 students participating nationwide. Educational groups have also advocated for the establishment of an independent national committee to oversee examinations across all regions of Sudan and preserve the integrity of the country’s education system.
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat.
