Education is universally acknowledged as one of the most powerful tools for social and economic transformation. It equips children with knowledge, skills, and opportunities to break cycles of poverty and drive development in their communities. However, the availability and quality of education differ widely across countries, even within the same region. In East Africa, two countries—Why Does Access To Education in Kenya and Sudan Differ—illustrate this contrast vividly. While Kenya has made steady progress toward universal access to education, Sudan continues to grapple with conflict, instability, and systemic collapse that keep millions of children out of school.

This article examines why access to education in Kenya and Sudan differs, exploring the role of political stability, government policy, economic challenges, inequality, gender issues, and external shocks. By analyzing these factors side by side, we can better understand the deep disparities and highlight lessons that could help bridge the educational gap across the region.

Historical Background of Education Systems

Kenya: Post-Independence Expansion

After independence in 1963, Kenya placed a strong emphasis on education as a driver of national development. The government launched Free Primary Education (FPE) in 2003 and later introduced policies to ensure the 100% transition of students from primary to secondary school. Over the years, successive governments have invested significantly in expanding access, although challenges around quality and equity remain.

Sudan: Interrupted Development

Sudan’s education system, by contrast, has been shaped by decades of civil war, political upheaval, and economic sanctions. While there have been attempts to expand access, such as the declaration of free primary education, these efforts were consistently undermined by instability. The 2011 secession of South Sudan further weakened the education sector, with resources stretched thin and millions displaced.

Security and Political Stability

Kenya’s Relative Stability

Kenya, despite facing periodic political unrest, terrorism threats, and ethnic tensions, has maintained a functioning education system. Schools operate consistently across most of the country, with disruptions typically linked to localized challenges like teacher strikes or drought in the arid and semi-arid counties.

Sudan’s Education in Crisis

In Sudan, the 2023–2025 conflict has devastated the education sector. According to UNICEF, nearly 19 million children are currently out of school, making it the largest education crisis in the world. Over 10,000 schools have been destroyed, closed, or deemed unsafe. Teachers have fled, families are displaced, and schooling has become impossible in many areas. Political instability directly translates into the loss of entire generations of learners.

Government Policy and Investment

Kenya’s Commitment to Education

Kenya treats education as a high-budget priority. Policies like the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and the push for 100% transition to secondary school reflect strong state involvement. Government efforts are complemented by donor support and non-state actors, including NGOs and community initiatives.

However, Kenya faces challenges in execution. Class sizes in some counties can reach up to 77 pupils per teacher, and hidden costs like uniforms and transport continue to burden poor households. Nonetheless, the political will to prioritize education sets Kenya apart from Sudan.

Sudan’s Emergency-Based Education

Sudan’s government, already weakened by decades of conflict, now relies heavily on humanitarian aid for education provision. Programs like Education Cannot Wait (ECW) provide emergency funding, but these are short-term interventions aimed at survival, not systemic reform. The state’s inability to finance, regulate, and expand education has left millions without consistent access.

Inequality Within Each Country

Kenya’s Regional Inequality: ASAL Counties

Despite its progress, Kenya faces stark regional disparities. Children in arid and semi-arid regions (ASAL), such as Turkana or Mandera, face challenges like long distances to schools, teacher shortages, insecurity, and child labor pressures. Poverty and recurrent droughts exacerbate dropout rates. These inequalities mean that while urban Nairobi may enjoy near-universal access, some rural areas lag far behind.

Sudan’s Inequality: Displacement and Gender Gaps

In Sudan, inequality manifests through mass displacement and heightened risks for girls. Families forced to flee often prioritize survival over education. Schools that remain open may lack sanitation or security, discouraging girls from attending. Gender-based violence risks, early marriage, and cultural norms further marginalize female learners. Rural and conflict-affected areas are particularly deprived.

The Economic Factor

Hidden Costs in Kenya

Although Kenya offers free primary and subsidized secondary education, families still bear hidden costs—uniforms, exam fees, or transport—which can push children, particularly from poor households, out of school. For many, these indirect costs are just as prohibitive as tuition.

Economic Collapse in Sudan

Sudan’s economy has collapsed under the weight of war and hyperinflation. With household incomes shattered, education becomes a luxury. Families struggling to feed their children are less likely to prioritize school expenses, leading to rising dropout rates and child labor.

Literacy and Learning Outcomes

Kenya’s adult literacy rate stands at around 83%, compared to 61% in Sudan, according to World Bank data. These figures reflect long-term differences in education access and completion. In Kenya, most children complete primary education, while in Sudan, completion rates are far lower, especially for girls in rural areas.

Even where schools are open, quality is an issue. Kenyan schools face overcrowding, while Sudanese schools often operate without sufficient teachers, textbooks, or infrastructure.

Gender Dimensions

Kenya: Narrowing Gaps, Persistent Barriers

Kenya has significantly narrowed the gender gap in education, especially in urban areas. Policies promoting girls’ education, school feeding programs, and campaigns against early marriage have helped. However, challenges remain in pastoralist communities where girls are still pulled out of school for domestic chores or early marriage.

Sudan: Girls at the Margins

In Sudan, girls face far greater barriers. Conflict heightens risks of violence, while cultural norms often prioritize boys’ education. Families may marry off daughters early as a survival strategy, further reducing school attendance. Without targeted interventions, girls remain disproportionately excluded from learning.

Alternative and Digital Learning

Kenya’s Growing Ed-Tech Scene

Kenya has seen growth in digital learning platforms, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, access is unequal—urban schools benefit more than rural ones due to disparities in electricity, internet connectivity, and device availability.

Sudan’s Humanitarian Digital Lifelines

In Sudan, humanitarian agencies have introduced distance learning platforms like the Learning Passport, TV programs, and radio lessons. These offer a lifeline for some displaced or cut-off communities, though access to technology remains limited.

Comparative Analysis

In summary, the stark differences between Kenya and Sudan’s education systems can be explained by:

1. Stability vs. Conflict: Kenya’s relative peace allows for policy continuity, while Sudan’s wars devastate schools.

2. Government Commitment: Kenya invests heavily in reform, while Sudan relies on emergency aid.

3. Economic Context: Kenya faces hidden costs; Sudan faces total economic collapse.

4. Inequality: Both countries suffer from regional disparities, but Sudan’s displacement crisis is more severe.

5. Gender: Kenya has made progress, Sudan lags far behind.

6. Long-Term Outcomes: Kenya’s literacy rates and completion levels are higher, reflecting decades of investment versus Sudan’s interrupted systems.

Pathways Forward

For Kenya

• Reduce hidden costs through school-feeding and bursaries.

• Address regional inequality by building more schools in ASAL counties and deploying teachers equitably.

• Improve quality by reducing overcrowding and investing in teacher training.

For Sudan

• End the conflict as the first step toward rebuilding education.

• Protect schools and declare them safe zones.

• Scale emergency education with donor support, while planning for long-term rebuilding.

• Target girls’ education with protection, cash support, and community campaigns.

Conclusion

Kenya and Sudan represent two very different realities in East Africa. Kenya, despite its challenges, shows what political commitment, policy innovation, and relative stability can achieve in expanding access to education. Sudan, however, highlights the devastating impact of conflict, displacement, and weak governance, leaving millions of children without the basic right to learn.

Understanding these differences is critical not just for policymakers but also for citizens, educators, and humanitarian actors seeking to close the gap. A future where all children in Africa can access quality education depends on addressing these root causes—peace, policy, equity, and investment.

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