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Thousands of teachers in Khartoum have gone on strike, demanding better wages and working conditions in the midst of Sudan's economic crisis. The strike, which started on June 24, 2026, has brought education to a halt in many parts of the state capital.

Teachers are enduring harsh living conditions due to the irregular payment of wages, despite their erosion as a result of the collapse in the value of the local currency. This has prompted hundreds of teachers to enter an open-ended strike, defying the decision to reopen schools in a number of states under the control of the army aligned with Port Sudan.

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee announced the commencement of a strike in Khartoum State on June 24, 2026, in accordance with the schedule previously published by the relevant committee. The committee explained that the strike would continue until Tuesday, affirming teachers’ commitment across the state to implementing the action according to the specified timetable as part of an escalation of protests against the non-payment of their salaries.

Teachers’ salaries range between 82,000 and 225,000 Sudanese pounds ($18 to $49) and are no longer sufficient to meet even the most basic necessities of life. Justice for teachers is the first step toward saving education and the future of generations.

The Teachers’ Committee had previously stated that educators are facing “an unprecedented deterioration in their wages and purchasing power, to the extent that current salaries are now completely disconnected from the minimum cost of living. The teachers’ strike is not aimed at securing privileges or luxuries; rather, it is a demand for a basic right—a wage that guarantees a minimum standard of dignified living, preserves the stability of the educational process, prevents the collapse of the teaching profession, and halts the exodus of qualified personnel.

Suleiman Mubarak, a teacher, said: “The state has halted salary payments, neglected the maintenance of schools that were destroyed or vandalized, and has not begun printing school textbooks, the last edition of which was issued before the war. Despite all this, it has decided to reopen schools and is demanding that teachers continue working.”

The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate renewed its support for teachers’ demands, emphasizing that security or administrative solutions will not resolve the crisis and that the only path forward lies in serious dialogue and a response to the demands of workers in the education sector.

The syndicate called for the prompt payment of outstanding dues, improvements in wages, and the opening of a comprehensive reform process for the education sector to ensure the stability of the educational process and the protection of workers’ rights.

This comes at a time when Sudan is experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis. On Monday, the Sudanese pound recorded its steepest decline on record against the U.S. dollar, with the exchange rate in the parallel market reaching approximately 5,500 pounds to the dollar.

The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Port Sudan, Ahmed Madawi Musa, recently spoke of the participation of approximately 3,000 university students in the fighting, including fatalities, injuries, and prisoners, opening a broad debate about the extent of overlap between academic institutions and the war effort.

These developments come after the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced that more than 50% of Sudanese children are out of education due to the conflict.

In a statement, teacher Suleiman Mubarak said: “The state has halted salary payments, neglected the maintenance of schools that were destroyed or vandalized, and has not begun printing school textbooks, the last edition of which was issued before the war. Despite all this, it has decided to reopen schools and is demanding that teachers continue working.”

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee is demanding a minimum monthly salary of 400,000 Sudanese pounds ($89) and better working conditions. They are also calling for the government to provide textbooks and other educational materials to schools.

The strike has brought education to a halt in many parts of the state capital, affecting thousands of students. Parents are worried about the impact of the strike on their children's future.

The Sudanese government has been criticized for its handling of the education sector. Many argue that the government has neglected the needs of teachers and students.

The strike is not just about wages and working conditions, but also about the future of education in Sudan. The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee believes that the strike is necessary to bring attention to the plight of teachers and to push for reforms in the education sector.

The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee is not alone in its demands. Many other trade unions and civil society organizations have expressed support for the teachers' strike.

The future of education in Sudan hangs in the balance. Will the government listen to the demands of the teachers and implement reforms in the education sector? Only time will tell.

Sudanese Teachers' Demands

  • A minimum monthly salary of 400,000 Sudanese pounds ($89)
  • Better working conditions
  • Provision of textbooks and other educational materials to schools
  • Regular payment of salaries
  • An end to the neglect of schools and educational materials

The Sudanese government has been criticized for its handling of the education sector. Many argue that the government has neglected the needs of teachers and students.

Sudan is not the only country facing an economic crisis. Other African countries are also struggling to provide for their citizens. The Sudanese Teachers’ Committee believes that their strike is necessary to bring attention to the plight of teachers and to push for reforms in the education sector.

As the strike continues, the future of education in Sudan remains uncertain. Will the government listen to the demands of the teachers and implement reforms in the education sector? Only time will tell.