Food prices, school fees soar in Darfur

Parents in Darfur complain about having no money to pay the increased school fees this year.
The 2016-2017 school year began directly after Eid El Fitr, the feast concluding the fasting month of Ramadan about ten days ago.
Several parents told Radio Dabanga from Darfur that they cannot afford the tuition costs for their children anymore.
“Not only the fees but also the prices of uniforms and other school supplies are soaring,” a parent reported from Nyala, capital of South Darfur. “This is too much, as we spend most of our household budgets on food and medicines.
“A dozen note books now costs SDG40 ($6.50), a school bag between SDG35 ($6) and SDG150 ($24), and a uniform from SDG250 ($40) to SDG300 ($48.50),” he said.
“The school fees range between SDG300 and SDG450 ($73) for a pupil at the basic school, while a year tuition at a secondary school costs between SDG450 and SDG1,500 ($242).”
He added that the price of a 50kg sack of Kenana sugar has risen from SDG540 ($87) to SDG570 ($92), and a 100kg sack of flour from SDG220 ($36) to SDG250 ($40).

Parents in Darfur complain about having no money to pay the increased school fees this year.

The 2016-2017 school year began directly after Eid El Fitr, the feast concluding the fasting month of Ramadan about ten days ago.

Several parents told Radio Dabanga from Darfur that they cannot afford the tuition costs for their children anymore.

“Not only the fees but also the prices of uniforms and other school supplies are soaring,” a parent reported from Nyala, capital of South Darfur. “This is too much, as we spend most of our household budgets on food and medicines.

“A dozen note books now costs SDG40 ($6.50), a school bag between SDG35 ($6) and SDG150 ($24), and a uniform from SDG250 ($40) to SDG300 ($48.50),” he said.

“The school fees range between SDG300 and SDG450 ($73) for a pupil at the basic school, while a year tuition at a secondary school costs between SDG450 and SDG1,500 ($242).”

He added that the price of a 50kg sack of Kenana sugar has risen from SDG540 ($87) to SDG570 ($92), and a 100kg sack of flour from SDG220 ($36) to SDG250 ($40).