DUBAI: Representatives from Dubai Cares recently concluded a series of field visits to inspect schools in the North Kordofan and Gedarif states of Sudan. 

The field trips, which were aimed at evaluating and monitoring the progress of various educational, sanitary and behavioural change programmes, were funded by Dubai Cares and carried out in partnership with international aid and development agencies. 

 

As part of the exercise, a delegation headed by Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, met with Hassan Ahmed Sulayman El Shihi, UAE Ambassador to Sudan, Sudanese government officials and other dignitaries.

In partnership with Save the Children, Dubai Cares is supporting a Safe, Healthy, Inclusive, Effective Teaching and Learning in Development (SHIELD) School Model, which was developed specifically for Sudan.

The programme, which received around Dhs16,500,000 ($4,500,000) funding from Dubai Cares, is being implemented in North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Red Sea, North and West Darfur and displacement camps in Khartoum and has achieved significant results.

The programme had a direct impact on a total of 54,916 children (48 per cent girls and 52 per cent boys). Basic schools, 116 in number, were provided with a package of basic education interventions, which included construction of 125 new classrooms, rehabilitation of 30 old classrooms, distribution of desks and benches for 4,000 students and establishment of 30 separate lavatories with hand-washing facilities for girls and boys.

A total of 662 teachers, head teachers and officials (including 56 per cent female teachers) were trained on basic teaching methodologies, lesson planning, classroom management and safety and protection measures in schools.

The programme also trained 433 members of Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) who received capacity building training on PTA management.

The training sessions aimed to improve their knowledge and skills on how to perform their roles, responsibilities, resource mobilisation and development of School Improvement Plans (SIPs).

In Kasala, Gedaref, Red Sea and West Darfur, Dubai Cares has partnered with Unicef to improve education opportunities and promote quality of learning for nomadic children.

The joint project includes constructing classrooms/learning spaces, training teachers, providing educational materials as well as enhancing community awareness and capacity in school co-management. 

Tariq Al Gurg said, “I am delighted to witness first-hand the positive impact that our programmes have had in Sudan. Our primary education interventions have granted children access to formal and non-formal education with average enrolment increasing by 12 per cent in target schools. We met with education officials during our trip, who demonstrated a high level of interest — particularly in replicating the SHIELD school model in their respective areas.

“We are proud to say that this is a direct indication of the success of our holistic development and partnership approach,” Al Gurg added.