The venue for discussions on the education sector in Somalia, please post relevant news and studies here.

I just wanted to ask, what's with having a Dugsi Hoose, Dhexe, Sare all in one? I've noticed quite a few like this all across the country. Xaaladda sidan mey aheyd dagaalkii kahor?

Ku-simaha Ra’iisal Wasaaraha Soomaaliya oo booqday Arday wax ku barta Dugsiga H/Dhexe iyo Sare ee Xamar Jajab

Arbaco, May 23, 2012(HOL): Ku-Simaha Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Soomaaliya ahna Wasiirka ganacsigga Cabdiwahaab Ugaas Xuseen Ugaas Khaliif oo maanta booqday Wasaaradda Waxbarashada ee Xukuumadda Soomaaliya iyo dugsiga H/dhexe iyo Sare ee Xamar Jajab halkaasoo ay wax ka bartaan 590 arday oo warbarasho lacag la’aan ah helay.

Wasiirka Waxbarashada Soomaaliya Axmed Ceydiid Ibraahim oo warbixin siinayay Ku-simaha ra’iisal Wasaaraha ayaa sheegay in Wasiirrada Waxbarashada ay dadaal dheeraad ah gelkisay sidii waxbarasho lacag la’aan ah ay u heli lahaayeen ubadka Soomaaliyeed, wuxuuna intaas ku daray in iskuullada Waxbarashada ee Muqdisho ay badankood hoos yimaadaan wasaaraddiisa.

Intaas kaddib Ku-Simaha Ra’iisul Wasaaraha oo hadalka qaatay ayaa uga mahadceliyay Wasiirka Waxbarashada howlaha muhiinka ah oo ay wasaaradiisa gacanta ku heyso, wuxuuna arrintaas ku tilmaamay mid loo baahnaa oo in la dhiirigeliyo mudan.

Dhinaca kale, Ku-Simaha Ra’iisul Wasaaraha iyo Wasiirka Waxbarashada ayaa booqday dugsiga Hoose, Dhexe iyo Sare ee Xamar Jajab, Waxaana halkaasi ku soo dhaweeyay Maamulka dugsiga, Macalimiin iyo ardey aad u fara badan. Ku-Simaha Ra’iisul Wasaaraha ayaa mid mid u gacan qaaday ardaydii, Isagoona mid mid u galay fasalada Ardayda.

“Dowladdu waxay ahmiyad gaar ah siineysaa waxbarashada oo ah aas aaska bulshada, waxaadna la socotaan in ummad kasta ay horumarkeeda ku xirantahay heerka aqoonteeda, Waxaad tihiin Mustaqbalkii dalka”ayuu yiri Kusimaha Ra’iisal Wasaaraha Soomaaliya oo ardayda la hadlayay.

Ugu dambeyntii Ku-Simaha Ra’iisul Wasaaraha ahna Wasiirka ganacsigga ayaa ardayda u sheegay in ay yihiin kuwii mustaqbalka dalka madaxda u noqon lahaa, Dhaqaatiir ka noqon lahaa, Macaliiniinta noqon lahaa, Islamarkaana intaas ugu sii daray in ay yihiin kuwii la tartami lahaa adduunyada kale, Isagoona xusay in dowladii 1991- dhacday in madaxda hadda ay yihiin kuwii waxka soo barta oo waliba si lacag la’aan ah ku soo bartay sida hadda ay yihiin ardaydii uu la hadlayay.

http://www.hiiraan.com/news/2012/may/images/Kusimah%20Raysal%20Wa%205.jpg
http://www.hiiraan.com/news/2012/may/images/Kusimaha%20Raysal%202.jpg
http://www.hiiraan.com/news/2012/may/images/Kusiamh%20raysal%204.jpg
http://www.hiiraan.com/news/2012/may/images/Kusimah%20Raysal%201.jpg

http://www.hiiraan.com/news/2012/may/wararka_maanta23-18069.htm

Why can't all ministers be like him? :D

Two thousand students sit exams in Mogadishu University

http://somalilandpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/mu2007x-618x414.jpg
MOGADISHU — More than two thousand students have sat for their final exams in Mogadishu University for the fifth time since its official inauguration two decades ago on Saturday.

The students who are studying different courses in six different faculties across two campuses consist of men and women.

Prof. Dr. Ali Sheikh Ahmed, the President of the university, said despite violence and anarchy the university has not stopped teaching a single day since relocating to the outskirts of Mogadishu.

He added the new $25 million campus which was completed in 2007 can accommodate more than 12,000 students. It was partly funded by the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia, among other donors.

“The administration and teachers have sacrificed a lot during the civil war in the country, working in difficult conditions. The university is ready to add new faculties,” he said.

He thanked teachers, parents and students for having faith in the institution and for their dedication despite the instability in Somalia.

The university has also has small campus in the port town of Bosaasso in nort-east region of Somalia.

Mogadishu University is one of the leading institutions in Somalia and is currently ranked top 40 universities in Africa.

Source: Somalilandpress (http://somalilandpress.com/29205-29205)

^ Impressive.

Somalia: Students Take Final Exams for Secondary
Garowe, Somalia — Vice President Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire and Minister of Finance Farah Ali Jama attended a ceremony commencing the exams for students of the 8th and 12th grade across Puntland, Radio Garowe reports.

Vice President Shire opened the ceremony in Garowe's Gambol secondary school, where students across Puntland will be taking the exams simultaneously. Vice President Shire who gave a brief speech at the ceremony reminded the students of the importance of education.

Officials from the Ministry of Education, teachers and students all were in attendance at the ceremony Saturday morning.

There are over 6868 students who are taking the exams in over 61 education facilities across Puntland. There will be 475 officials who will be managing the exam process.

This the first time the Puntland education system will be responsible for correcting the students' final exams which were until this year, sent to Kenya for corrections.

According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are close to 200,000 thousand students that are currently enrolled in education institutions across Puntland. More than half of those students are enrolled in primary schools, with at least 20,000 thousand expected to attend secondary school next year. -- Source[/b] (][b)

SOMALILAND: More than 17,000 students to take nationwide exam June 30
http://somalilandpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/abaarso_tech025.png
(Students in Abaarso Tech school (Abaarso Tech)
HARGEISA — Over 17,500 students across Somaliland will take the annual secondary school and university entrance examinations at the end of this month in 140 exam halls.

Zamzam Abdi Adan, Minister for Education, said a total sum of 5,846 candidates aspiring to enroll in the country’s institutions of higher education will sit the test in 42 exam centers in all provinces.

The week-long exam, which falls on June 30, will test the post-primary education of 11,667 pupils in 98 halls this year. Mrs Adan said her department has registered the highest rate for the exam this year, 15 percent increase from 2010.

In 2009 a sum total of 11,294 candidates appeared for the primary and secondary examinations, an increase of 6,237 students in the last three years or 21.6 percent increase.

The increase is the result of combination of increase in population and President Ahmed Silanyo’s education policy which was introduced two years ago. In early 2011, the ruling Kulmiye government doubled teachers’ wages and introduced free education at primary and secondary levels in an effort to reduce school dropouts.

The Somaliland ministry of education hopes to increase literacy levels across the country to 75 percent by 2015

While wishing the students best wishes and success, Mrs Adan warned against cheating and leaking exam contents. She said there will be more than 1,263 exam officials on duty for the annual test. She encouraged them to bring with them determination, motivation and to prepare themselves well. -- Source (http://somalilandpress.com/somaliland-more-than-17000-students-to-take-nationwide-exam-june-30-30481)

BUMP


Somaliland: Burao University Benefits from Dahabshil Corporate Social responsibility


http://somalilandsun.com/images/VP%20Sayli%20C%20laying%20the%20foundation%20stone%20at%20Burao%20university.JPG

BURAO (Somalilandsun) – The University of Burao is about to start housing employees its main campus.

This development is as a result of funding availed by Dahabshil a locally owned international money transfer company and bank whose donation saw the university embark on construction of an ultra-modern staff and guest housing complex.
The groundbreaking and foundation stone laying ceremony was officiated by the Vice president Hon Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail 'Sayli' who commended Dahabshil for continued support to local development.

Said he, "I urge other local companies and affluent citizens to emulate the Dahabshil Company that has made it a company policy to invest a percentage of its profits in local development"

VP Sayli who reiterated his promise to ensure increased government subsidy to Burao University in company of the minister of Education Hon Zamzam Abdi Aden, Minister of the presidency Hon Hirsi Haji Ali, the Minister of Youth/Sports & Culture Hon Ali Saeed Raygal, Togdheer regional governor Abdoo Ahmed Ayr, Burao Mayor, Burao university trustees and parents.

The dignitaries who had earlier on participated at a graduation ceremony at the Togdheer based public university were briefed on the housing complex by a Dahabshil official Mr. Abdi Farah who revealed that the housing complex which is geared towards guest and staff housing will consist of 10 spacious rooms and an accompanying hall to be utilized as leisure area.


http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/community/1354-somaliland-burao-university-benefits-from-dahabshil-corporate-social-responsibility

Somaliland: Local Graduates are the Future of the Country


http://somalilandsun.com/images/president%20silanyo%20awards%20oldest%20graduate%20Hon%20Abdirahman%20Aw%20Ali.JPG
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – 637 students have graduated from the University of Hargeisa.

The president H.E Ahmed Mahmoud Silanyo who officiated at the ceremony held at the main Hargeisa University campus congratulated the graduates from nine of the eleven faculties for successful completion of their various first-degree studies.

"I hereby extend my congratulations to the graduating students, their parents and lecturers for a job well done," said the president

President Silanyo who said that graduating youths are the future backbone of the country revealed that the government would continue to employ the highest number possible from the graduates while enhancing alternate job creation efforts.

http://somalilandsun.com/index.php/politics/government/1464-somaliland-local-graduates-are-the-future-of-the-country

We need more Engineering grads!!!!

Somali university students deterred by high fees rather than civil war
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Environment/Pix/columnists/2013/1/15/1358269586701/MDG--Students-attend-a-le-018.jpg


For university students in Somalia, the threat of violence has been the biggest concern in recent years. But as peace returns to the capital, Mogadishu, high tuition fees rather than civil war are more of a barrier for students wishing to attend classes.

Despite the civil war that has lasted more than two decades, education remains key for many Somalis. "To be without knowledge is to be without light" is a popular Somali proverb. Rather than closing campuses, some universities chose to relocate at the height of the conflict – but many are now back in Mogadishu.

"Somalis are very resilient people. Despite the wars, famine and displacement, students and staff still turned up to classes. When our classes were destroyed, we taught under the trees. We refused to close our doors because you never know when war will end," says Professor Mohamed Abdiweli Ali, chancellor at the University of Somalia, who is also a presidential candidate and a former lecturer at King's College London.

The University of Somalia was the first to move from Mogadishu to Elasha Biyaha, just outside the capital. This was in 2006, during the Ethiopian invasion, when many students and staff faced harassment by both the Islamist al-Shabaab militia and Ethiopian troops.

"Ethiopian troops set up camp behind our campus. Our students were of a fighting age, and this proved to be a big problem for us," he says. "Ethiopian troops would accuse our students and staff of being al-Shabaab every morning as they passed through their checkpoint on their way to the university. And in the evening as they returned home, al-Shabaab, which controlled everywhere else, would accuse our students and staff of being Christians.

"We opened three campuses because some students had links to the government and were not able to attend some campuses, and other students had links to al-Shabaab and were not able to cross government lines to attend classes. So we had campuses behind all lines of the conflict."

Student numbers declined during the conflict, according to Abdiweli, but with improved security enrolment is now increasing. High demand for skilled and qualified workers in the thriving private sector means graduates do not have to worry about post-graduation employment and the downturn in the global economy.

Abdisalan Ali Adan is halfway through his bachelor's degree in business studies but has already found employment with Hormuud, a telecommunication company. "The people at Hormuud came to my university looking for interns. I was one of the people who applied, and after the internship ended I was offered a job. I now work part-time for them with the intention of becoming full-time staff when I graduate."

Sitting on a bench beneath a tree at the University of Somalia is a group of female medical students – a scene that was unthinkable just over a year ago, when socialising outdoors meant risking being hit by a stray bullet.

Amal Abdikarin is a first-year medical student. She says she no longer worries about al-Shabaab and bullets, but about her education fees. "Now my biggest problem is the $125 (£75) a month fee I have to pay to study. [That] is too much for my parents to pay."

All the universities operating in Somalia are run by the private sector and scholarships are few. According to a UN Development Programme (UNDP)-backed report published in 2010, approximately 43% of Somalia's population live below the poverty line. High fees have priced many potential students out of higher education.

Aweis Haddad, the secretary general for youth and labour, says the newly formed government recognises that fees are unaffordable for the average Somali and is making an effort to build new state universities and rebuild the government-owned ones that were destroyed during the war.

"I was educated free of charge and the government even gave me a living grant to study when I was growing up in Somalia," he says. "We would like to see that happening again. We are already making progress … There are 1,600 government-run primary schools; we did not have them [under government control] only a year ago. Soon we will start building state-owned universities that will be affordable to those academically able but financially challenged."

Increasing the number of girls in higher education is also a priority, he adds. Although there are many girls in primary schools because of free education, gender disparity rapidly increases from secondary school onwards.

Early marriages, class times and economic constraints contribute to higher drop-out rates for girls, according to the UNDP-backed report. "Girls make up 50% of the population; there is a need for them to be educated. Al-Shabaab prevented them from attending schools, but we will be encouraging it," says Haddad.

"I lived in London for many years. I know that, there, Somali girls were doing better in schools than boys, and I want the girls in Somalia to have the same access to education, to reach higher and higher until we have a female Somali president."

http://m.guardiannews.com/global-development/2013/jan/21/somali-university-students-high-fees-conflict

Education is Key in Somalia's Recovery

A prominent Somali professor in the U.S., Ahmed Ismail Samatar, is eager to educate and to help rebuild Somalia.

Link to the video. CNN.

http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2012/12/07/african-voices-ahmed-ismail-samatar-c.cnn

Wasaaradda Horumarinta Adeegga Bulshada oo soo Ban-dhigtay Qorshe wax lagu barayo Hal Milyan oo Arday


Talaado, Feberaayo 19, 2013 (HOL) — Wasaarada waxbarashada iyo adeegga bulshada ee xukuumadda Soomaaliya ayaa maanta soo bandhigtay qorshe waxbarasho ee sanadka 2013, kaasoo loogu talo-gashay inay ka faa’iideystaan ardayda Soomaliyeed ee aan heysan fursadaha waxbarasho kaddib markii ay saameyn ku yeesheen duruufaha adag ee dalka ka jiray 22-kii sano ee lasoo dhaafay. Wasiirrada wasaarada horumarinta iyo adeegga bulshada, Maryan Qaasim Axmed ayaa maanta qorshahaas kaga dhawaaqday munaasabad lagu qabtay hoteelka Jaziira ee magaalada Muqdisho; taasoo ay goobjoog ka ahaayeen qaybaha bulshada sida: aqoonyanno, waxgarad, culumaa’uddiin haween, xildhibaanno iyo qaar ka mid ah bahda waxbarashada iyo jaamacadaha ka jira dalka.

Maryam Qaasim ayaa sheegtay in caruur gaaraysa afar milyan oo da’doodu ka hooseyso 18-sano aysan haysan waxbarshadii ay u baahnaayeen xiligan taasoo keentay bay tiri in duruufaha nololeed ee heysta qaarkood looga faa’iideystay inay ka qayb-qaataan dagaalladii iyo dhibaatooyinkii ka dhacay dalka. “Wasaaraddu iyadoo ka duulaysa arrintaas, kana damqaneysa waxay isku duba-ridday qorshe waxbarasho oo ballaaran kaasoo aan jecelnahay inay ka faa’iideystaan arday gaaraysa hal milyan oo uu kala qaybsan heerarka kala duwan ee waxbarashada, waxaana hirgelinta qorshahaas gacan naga siinaya qaar ka mid ah hay’adaha Qaramada Midoobay oo dhawaan aan kula soo kulmay Nairobi.” ayay tiri wasiiradda.

Sidoo kale, wasiirraddu waxay sheegtay in qorshahaas uu ku jiro in guud ahaan dalka laga hirgeliyo dugsiyo gaaraya 900 oo isugu jira kuwo cusub iyo kuwii hore oo dayactir lagu sameynayo, iyadoo xustay inay tababarro siin doonaan macallimiin heerar kala duwan leh oo gaaraya 3,000 si ay bilow ugu noqdaan dhaqaajinta waxbarashada dalka oo ay sheegtay inay ka qayb-qaadan karto soo celinta nabadda, iyadoo tilmaantay in nus malyuun ka mid ah ardaydan ay ka imaan doonaan Koonfurta Soomaaliya, halka qayb kalena ay wadaagi doonaan gobollada Bariga iyo Waqooyiga Soomaaliya.

“Anigu waxaan ahay dhakhtarad dhinaca caafimaadka ah, waxaan wax ku soo bartay canshuurtii shacabka laga qaadi jiray, waxaan rabaa in caruurta Soomaaliyeed ay helaan taasoo kale, sidaas awgeed qorshahaan wuxuu billow u yahay qorshe aanu rabno inaan waxbarasho aasaasi ah ugu helno afarta milyan ee aan hadda waxbarashada heysan,” ayay intaa ku dartay wasiiradda oo qaybaha bulshada ka dalbatay inay gacan ku siiyaan fulinta qorshahaas.

Waxaa sidoo kale goobtaas ka hadlay mas’uuliyiin iyo qaar ka mid ah qaybaha bulshaha ee ka qayb-galay kulankaas, kuwaasoo ay ka mid ahaayeen guddoomiyaha rugta ganacsiga Soomaaliyeed, Cabdikariin Salaad Gabeyre, ganacsato Luul Maxamed Sheekh Cisman, culumaa’uddiin ay ka mid ahaayeen, Sheekh Nuur Baaruud Gurxan iyo Sheekh C/qaadir Soomow, guddoomiyaha dallada bulshada rayidka ee SOSCENSA, C/llaahi Maxamed Shirwac iyo xildhibaanno ka tirsan baarlamaanka oo dhammaantood soo dhaweeyey qorshahan iyo muhiimadda uu leeyahay, iyagoo ballan-qaaday inay garab ku siin doonaan wasiiradda sidii loo fulin lahaa qorshahan cusub.
Ugu dambeyn, waxaa kulankaas ka hadlay wasiir-u-dowladaha wasaaradda horumarinta adeegga bulshada oo ka warramay qorsheyaasha wasaaaradda ee sanadkan gaar ahaan waxbarashada, isagoo sheegay in dhaqaale laga halay dibadda uu noqon karo kaalmo oo kaliya, balse maal-gelinta wax lagu dhaqaajinayo la doonayo inteeda badan inay ka timaada bulshada Soomaaliyeed.

Sahan ay kal hore sameeyeen hay’adda Qaramada Midoobay ayaa lagu ogaaday in 22-kii sano ee burburku ka jiray Soomaaliya ay waxbarashada aasaasiga ah heleen oo kaliya 13% dhallaanka Soomaaliyeed, waxaana haddii uu hirgelo qorshahan lagu xoojinayo waxbarashada dalka ee ay waddo wasaaradda horumarinta iyo adeega bulshada uu noqon doonaa kii ugu weynaa burburka kaddib ee ay ka faa’iideystaan caruurta Soomaaliyeed ee aan haysan waxbarashada aasaasiga ah.http://hiiraan.com/images/2013/Feb/005.JPGhttp://hiiraan.com/news/2013/Feb/wararka_maanta19-20948.htm

Great topic. I just wanted to share that I've met a Somali who has lived in Mogadishu until 2009. I was amazed at that he could speak both English and Arabic, before he was even here. He said that in his school in Mogadishu, Arabic and English are taught and used. Not like for instance how Japanese or French people learn it ( learning, but not being able to have conversations).

I loved the idea that inshallah in the future all Somalis in Somalia will be able to converse and trade in Somali, Arabic and English. I truly hope so.

It seems our thinking is not as a closed community, but more globalized and eager for knowledge.

I wonder if English and Arabic will be fixed in the school curriculums.

NO WAY!!

Sxb i respect your view but i have to disagree with you. As you know or might not know the western tourists are shrinking in Africa and are getting replaced by asians, ie chinese,japanese,indians,koreans.......

Firstly you have to look at the facts that more than 60% of Somalis cant read or write the Somali langauge. i mean the average abdi lives on $100 a month. The person you've met is relatively well off and or "wealthy" in Somalia.Somali kids learn arabic through quranic schools and im fine with this but what i dont agree with is that we should introduce Arabic and english in the curriculums. Im fine with english so long as its for the upper students of highschool, as we say in Australia Yr 10,11 and 12. I live next to the Biggest Library in Australia and im surprised that i could only find 10 books that are written in Somali.I mean where are the dijibouti Somalis and the Kenyan Somalis?

It doesnt matter whether the Somali langauge is not in danger compared to other languages because the fact is most Somalis cant read or write,and im also sick of seeing Shops being painted with pictures.it really kills the countries urban Design.

Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society to build a boarding school in Somalia

Turkish Press
03/31/2013
Turkish Red Crescent Aid Society will establish the Turkish Foundation and build a boarding vocational school in Mogadishu as part of the " Somalia Humanitarian Aid Operation".


http://www.turkishpress.com/nws-i/383720-365.jpg

Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA),Turkish Red Crescent Chairman Ahmet Lutfi Akar underlined that the Turkish Foundation would promote Turkish culture in Somalia and meet the social needs of displaced individuals.

"Once the boarding vocational school is completed, it would provide education to 360 students on machinery, computers and electronics," Akar also said.

http://hiiraan.com/news4/2013/Mar/28716/turkish_red_crescent_aid_society_to_build_a_boarding_school_in_somalia.aspx

The Current Education system of Somalia and its challenges

02.04/2013

As of now there is no organized education system in Somalia and many of the schools run by local and international NGOs and these schools consisting of both Islamic and western and most of the private schools currently operating in Somalia follow the educational system used in the past, and these schools adopting different education systems in the world especially in middle eastern countries and in Somalia there are more than two main system in Somali right now the Arab related education system and western education system both of the system do the same because still they are following twelve years of schooling which is mostly related in international standard, The two main models are the 4-4-4 system inherited from the post-1960 era, and the 6-3-3 system followed in several Arab countries.

The 6-3-3 System which consists of six years in elementary schooling, three years of intermediate and three years of secondary school which makes a total of 12 years in total while the second one consists of 4-4-4 system that is four years in elementary, four years in intermediate and four years in secondary school and it ends up a total of 12 years. Most of the schools in Somalia use English and Arabic as medium of teaching and in some parts used Somali language, however in Somalia there are different education umbrellas.
These education umbrellas are:
1. Formal Private Education Network in Somalia (FPENS)
2. School Association for Formal Education (SAFE)
3. School Organization for Formal Education (SOFE)
4. Somali Formal Education Network (SOFEN)
5. Somali Formal Education Link (SOFEL)
6. Formal Education Network for Private Schools (FENPS)
7. Somali Education Development Association (SEDA)

Each umbrella has its own rules and regulation, policy, curriculum, academic year, student uniform, education system and certificate, and there is no high education commission in Somalia which controls or evaluate all these education systems in Somalia and in addition to that besides the absence of higher education commission in Somalia there is unity between all these private organization and each one of them wants to dominate the entire education system in Somalia and this will jeopardise the education development in Somalia and this further fuels that if you go from one region to the other region you will see new system of education which is completely different for the other regions however the largest education umbrella in Somalia is FPENS which is abbreviated from formal private education network in Somalia.

Somaliland: Hargeisa University Students to Benefit from Kuwaiti Scholarships
Tuesday, 02 April 2013 17:19

Prof Abdi HusseinBy: Latifa Yusuf Masai

DOHA (Somalilandsun) – The University of Hargeisa-UoH is set to modernize its college of education courtesy of Kuwaiti funds.
This was revealed by the UoH Chancellor Prof Abdi Hussein Gas during a telephone interview with Waheen news from Doha Qatar where he is visiting on invitation from a consortium of Kuwaiti Organizations.
Said he, "Apart from support in the expansion and modernization of our college of education the Kuwaiti organizations have also agreed to provide scholarships for study in Kuwaiti universities"
The College expansion and Kuwaiti scholarships for diploma and masters studies will cost over $600,000 which shall be covered in entirety by the consortium of Kuwaiti organizations.
The visit by Prof Gas who is accompanied by the chancellors of the Las Anod town based Nugaal university and East Africa University of Puntland which are among the nine institutions of higher learning from Somaliland and Somalia that are supported by the Kuwaiti organizations.
In the visit facilitated by the Hargeisa based Manhal a charity organization that operates the biggest eye hospital in Somaliland saw the three Dons hold very fruitful consultations with the Consortium of Kuwaiti organizations.
Prof Gas who also spared time to meet with and brief the large Somalilander community in the Gulf country, whom he thanked for a warm reception and subsequent intellectual parley that acquiesced on imperative need of enhancing cooperation
According to DohAbdiaziz Al Mutairi urges networking to access Kuwaiti fundsa based Mr Abdul-Aziz Al-mutairi a Kuwaiti national who is Horn Africa analyst and campaigner of Somaliland's international recognition, various institutions in the country should strive hard thus tap into the abundant charity funds available in the oil rich Kuwait.
Al-Mutairi who said local institutions the charity funds can be pursued through networking with the large and established Somaliland Community whose lengthily stay has seen to its integration into mainstream Kuwaiti life at all levels.

Somalia launches free education program

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Somali government has launched a nationwide educational program for nearly a million school students.

Making the announcement, the country’s development and social affairs minister said that the Somali federal government has already put in place plans to realize free education program that will target both young children and adult across the strife-torn country.

Experts say that deeply pre-occupied by the war, the majority of the Somali children lost opportunities for their socioeconomic development like education. The new government in Mogadishu however hopes to change all this in a short period of time.

The European Union on its part also launched a separate educational program for Somalia. The project named ELMIDOON is a three-year-project which seeks to strengthen a cohesive education sector in the country. This is done by increasing access to relevant education as well as improving the quality of education.

According to the EU, the project hopes target thirty primary schools and six secondary schools and will in the future cover the whole of Somalia. The European Union says that it hopes to counter the educational challenges in the war-torn nation by rebuilding more schools, training of teachers and by providing scholarship.

The Somali government says that this education plan will ensure the inclusion of children from poor backgrounds, minorities, I-D-Ps, and children with disabilities.

For two decades now this country has been engulfed in a civil war that virtually brought down the educational sector. With many of the young people compelled to either engage in violence, stay idle with other migrating abroad in search of better learning opportunities, however the government’s pledge might rekindle back the spirit of education in Somalia.
http://hiiraan.com/news4/2013/Apr/29027/somalia_launches_free_education_program.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQjMgmTi77o

EAEF To Build Largest Engineering Faculty In Somalia

EAEF Tuesday,
April 30, 2013

The East African Energy Forum has announced today in Mogadishu that it will build Somalia's largest engineering and geoscience faculty producing over 100 engineers by 2017 in partnership with Benadir University.

The group which is comprised of Somali experts in engineering and natural resources, announced the plan in front of over 250 students and faculty at the university's Mogadishu headquarters.

"We have come here to announce our investment in our future and our young Somali students and to provide them with world class education rıght here in Somalia, this project will be complete by September 2017 God Willing" said Abdillahı Mohamud, the group's founder and director.

Preparing For Somalia's Natural Resources Future :

The group's announcement comes at a time when the world's attention is squarely on Somalia's large untapped natural resources ranging from fisheries, petroleum and mining. Mr. Mohamud says the regulation of these foreign interests is something the group takes seriously.

"We are adamant on making sure the African resource curse does not occur in Somalia, and by ınvesting in a nationalistic and well educated Somali beauracracy to oversee this vital sector, we are attempting to shut the door on corruption and mismanagement"

Tabling Effective Legislation:

EAEF's Mogadishu trip also included lengthy and fruitful discussions with the Somali Parliament and relevant ministries on a plan to regulate and lay down effective and nationlistic laws that will see Somalia's natural resources used to benefit the entire country.

Mohamud believes its time for all Somalis to look to themselves to change their country rather than relying solely on the government to do all the vital tasks needed by the country.

"This country deserves a long term vision and though. Somalia's resources belong to its people, and as such our task is straight forward, we want the absolute best for the country and we will always support only that which is in Somalia's national interest."
http://hiiraan.com/news4/2013/Apr/29115/eaef_to_build_largest_engineering_faculty_in_somalia.aspx

God bless this organisation. The relevent ministries should really take on board their advice. Get it right early and cut out MNC exploitation and corruption and Somalia will quickly overtake its neighbours

Civil engineers are most needed.

Mogadishu district provides free education for adult women

Education
2013-05-13
By Abdi Moalim

Mogadishu's Waberi district administration and Raage Ugaas High School are collaborating on a multi-phase education project to provide 225 illiterate and innumerate women with free schooling. "We want to produce women who are capable and educated," Waberi District Commissioner Ahmed Mayre Makaran told Sabahi.

"When we saw the need for education and the financial difficulties facing women, we established this project."

The first six-month phase began April 27th, Makaran said. An independent committee manages the programme at the government- run school.

Students enrolled in the programme will learn how to write and receive instruction in mathematics, "There are many women who are ready to learn, but are unable to afford private school tuition, which highlights the great need for re- establishing the free education the government used to provide for the public," Makaran said.

Classes are held Saturday through Wednesday, from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. The programme relies entirely on volunteer teachers -- three men and three women -- who instruct five classes of 45 students each.

In the second phase, women will receive vocational skills and home economics training, said Abdirahman Mohamud Ali, the school's administrator.

"We will teach them simple management skills such as household management, small market management, creating and managing small businesses, and how to monitor and manage the health and education of their children," Ali told Sabahi.

Changing views on women's education

Many women in Somalia are uneducated because Somali society does not encourage their education, but now there is an increasing awareness of the importance of investing in women, said Mohamed Isse, a social affairs analyst. In recent times, increased public awareness has coincided with women's progress," Isse told Sabahi.

"Previously, parents used to educate only boys and this caused the emergence of many women who could not read or write."

"If a concerted effort is made to educate women, whether a little bit or a lot, it is possible to reduce poverty and properly raise children," he said.

Some of the women in the programme told Sabahi about the troubles they have had without proper education, and what they hope to gain from literacy and learning math skills.

Programme recipient Safiya Addow, said illiteracy and innumeracy put her at a disadvantage by making it hard to budget her expenses or find a job.

"I am even unable to effectively manage the daily household expenses because I cannot keep track of what I get and what I spend," she said.

"I have never had any education and I do not know how to write anything, so truly this is the beginning of a new future for Somali mothers," said Maey Mohamed, a 46-year-old housewife and mother of seven.

"I was very happy when I was informed I would be receiving free education," Mumina Mohamed, a 39-year-old mother of five, told Sabahi. "My husband and I do not work, but I hope I will find work once I finish this course."
http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/features/2013/05/13/feature-02

Global Partnership for Education to fund teacher salaries in northern Somalia

2013-05-24

International aid agency the Globa Partnership for Education (GPE) has announced grants of $4.2 million to Somaliland and $2.1 million to Puntland to pay teachers' salaries, the UN Children's Fund announced Thursday (May 23rd).

The funding will enable the regional governments to compensate and hire teachers, facilitating the enrollment of more children in school.

"It is important that, together, we ensure that every child, particularly vulnerable children can go to a school, have effective teachers and learn so they can contribute to the development of their community and nation," said GPE CEO Alice Albright.

The Directorate of Education in the Somal Ministry of Development and Social Affairs is also in the process of applying for $8.2 million in support for its education plan to develop a teacher database and help pay teachers salaries in southern and central Somalia
http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2013/05/24/newsbrief-07

Somali Education Coalition Releases Unified Curriculum

30 May 2013
By Abdi Moalim,
Sabahi Online

Mogadishu An education coalition representing 1,130 private schools across Somalia has unveiled a curriculum that will serve as a blueprint for standardising primary and secondary instruction nationwide.

The coalition comprises seven organisations: the Formal Private Education Network in Somalia (FPENS) the School Organisation for Forma Education (SOFE), the Somali Forma Education Network (SOFEN), the Somal Formal Education Link (SOFEL), the Schools Association for Formal Education(SAFE), the Formal Education Network for Private Schools (FENPS) and the Somal Education Development Association(SEDA).

The organisations presented their proposed curriculum, which took three years to complete, at FPENS headquarters on May 16th, with federal government officials in attendance.

Somalia has gone without a unified national curriculum to guide educators since the fall of the Mohamed Siad Barre government in 1991."We used the previous nationa curriculum [that was in effect before the civil war] and curricula used in schools now as a reference guide and model," Mohamed Farah Ali, co-ordinator of the groups that co-wrote the curriculum, told Sabahi.

"Its foundation is Islam and our good culture."

The education organisations set about creating the curriculum because schools managed by each of the seven groups followed a different curriculum and term schedule and were turning out students with varying education levels, SAFE director Abdirahman Moalim Ablal said."What we have prepared [is a composite of] the different curricula used by[schools] with the aim of unifying the education of Somali students," Ablal told Sabahi.

"Agreeing on one curriculum wil make it easier to have one examination schedule for the school term. This wil also streamline the differing education levels of the students."

In addition, the curriculum keeps in mind that some schools teach in Somali, while others instruct in Arabic or English, he said, adding that this should make it easy for schools to conform to the curriculum irrespective of the language in which subjects are taught. The schools will be using the same textbooks translated in the various target languages.

Officials representing the coalition said the new curriculum would be mandatory in their schools starting in the 2013-2014 academic year, while other schools are welcome to adopt it at their discretion."We had no political agenda in this project and we have no intention of pressuring the government or anyone else to implement it," Ablal said.

The federal government welcomed the curriculum and praised the coalition for their initiative.

Common national values: Arabow Ibrahim Nur, acting director of the education department in the Ministry of Development and Social Affairs, said the government would evaluate the curriculum and use it as a blueprint for its own standardised curriculum.

"[The proposed curriculum] is a first step but we want to include all the Somali people so they can add their ideas to this curriculum," he told Sabahi."We are creating a national education policy that will finally resolve problems related to [our] education system," he said.

"We will accelerate work on the curriculum so that we succeed in getting a unified national curriculum in the coming months."

Abdullahi Ahmed Maalin, 19, a high school student in Mogadishu, said the new curriculum is a positive development that gives schools an opportunity to promote common national values.

"Whenever we meet for an educationa debate, we cannot even agree on nationalism," he said, underscoring that foreign influences in education and other aspects of life since the civil war have compromised Somali ideals."Some of us defend Arab views, some Western and others Asian," he said.

"The reason is that students have not been taught with the same goals; I mean we lack a unified national goal." Having a curriculum developed by Somalis would foster understanding and dialogue among youths and help support Somali ideals, Maalin said.
http://m.allafrica.com/stories/201305300512.html/?maneref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dsomalia%26hl%3Den%26tbm%3Dnws%26ei%3DN3KnUajeJayp7Ab3n4G4Bg%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D320%26bih%3D455