Dubai Cares and UNICEF launch joint programmes to offer primary education to an estimated 700,000 children in Sudan

The programmes will benefit an estimated 700,000 children over the next ten years.

The announcement marks Dubai Cares' second partnership with UNICEF following an earlier announcement in February of joint primary education programmes in Djibouti.

The project will construct 200 classrooms in the first year to serve 10,000 nomadic children per year for the next ten years. Education kits containing teaching instruments will be procured for 400,000 children and about 550,000 school bags will be distributed to primary school children in some of Southern Sudan's 3,100 learning spaces.

Dubai Cares will also support UNICEF to offer three training modules, one each for Maths, Science and Lifeskills for 200 teachers. Also, 250 school heads and Parent-Teacher Committee chairpersons will receive training in co-management.

Recent results of the Sudan Household Health Survey reinforce the urgent need for primary education programmes in the country. According to the survey, an average of only 53.7% of primary-level children attend school in all Sudan. However, the thirst for education in Southern Sudan - devastated by two decades of war - has seen enrolment treble since 2005, creating new needs for investment in education.

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, Chairperson of Dubai Cares Board of Directors, said: "The children of Sudan have faced insurmountable odds to gain access to primary education in their country."

"Along with UNICEF, Dubai Cares is highly optimistic about delivering tangible results for the Sudanese, assisting them in their drive to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals and, more importantly, helping children realize their potential."

UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Ted Chaiban, welcomed the contribution from Dubai Cares saying: "Every child in Sudan has the right to a quality education which will provide them with the tools to develop a stronger, healthier, more prosperous Sudan for generations to come. By investing in education, we are investing in the foundations of Sudan's long-term development."

As its key focus areas in Sudan, Dubai Cares and UNICEF will work towards building new school facilities, renovating damaged school premises, ensuring the supply of safe drinking water and proper sanitation and distribution of school supply materials. The programme will also ensure the delivery of a series of training initiatives to adequately empower teachers.

Launched on 19 September, 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares has evolved as the world's largest charitable establishment solely devoted to improving primary education around the world.

Dubai Cares has prioritized its Phase One grants to countries that demonstrate the highest gap in primary education. Last month, Dubai Cares announced 12 beneficiary countries including Bangladesh, Bosnia, Chad, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Maldives, Mauritania, Niger, Pakistan, Occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan, and Yemen; and Palestinian refugees (in Lebanon and Jordan).