From War to Education
Somalia has been in a state of civil war for over two decades, with the conflict causing widespread destruction and displacement. The war began in 1991 when the government was overthrown by rebel forces. Since then, the struggle has intensified, with numerous factions competing for dominance of the nation. It has caused immense suffering for the Somali people, with millions being displaced and thousands losing their lives. Numerous schools have been damaged or shut down as a result of the war, which has had a substantial impact on the nation's educational system. Nonetheless, in recent years, there has been a concerted effort to rebuild the education system and provide access to education for all Somalis.
The conflict's effects on education have been among its most serious ones. Many schools got destroyed or closed down due to fighting, leaving children without access to education. Since an educated population is necessary for both economic growth and social advancement, this lack of access to education has had long-term influence on Somalia's development. Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to rebuild Somalia's education system. The government, private, local, and international organizations have worked together to establish new schools and rehabilitate existing ones. Currently, there are more than 60 universities and hundreds of primary and secondary schools distributed all over the country. In addition, efforts have been made to train teachers and provide them with the resources they need to conduct high-quality instruction.
An example of these endeavors is the Somali Education Sector Strategic Plan (SESSP), which was launched in 2018.The SESSP hoped to successfully increase all Somali people's access to high-quality education. It puts an emphasis on raising enrollment rates, enhancing teacher preparation, training, and support, and offering superior instructional materials. Another initiative that is helping to rebuild Somalia's educational system is the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). In Somalia, the GPE is supporting efforts to increase registration rates and improve academic outcomes.
Despite these efforts, there are still noteworthy obstacles facing Somalia's education system. Many children are still unable to attend school due to the fact that the ongoing conflicts make it difficult to provide education in some areas. Somalia hosts one of the world’s most significant out-of-school populations, with roughly 3 million out of 5 million children and youth of school-age not in school. In addition, there is a shortage of qualified, well-trained teachers and a lack of school resources. However, the progress that has been made toward reestablishing the system is encouraging. Luckily, with continued investment and generous support, it is really possible to provide access to quality education for all Somalis. This will not only benefit individuals but also contribute to the whole country's long-term development and stability.
Abdirahman, 24 years old, is a Somali student at Somaville University in Mogadishu, Somalia. He struggled so hard to pursue his education. “I began my education writing on some pieces of wood. I could not reach the school easily during and after the war for several reasons, including moral and financial matters. First, I am from one of the tribes that were involved in the armed conflict where a large number of people in my tribe, whose mentality was only to carry guns, died during the war, though I didn’t like such mentality and tried to be away in order not to be involved with such stupid destructive actions. Besides, there were some explosions happening on my way to school and university. Sadly, my grandmother was killed in the aggressive civil war” he says. “Moreover, family financial issues and long distance were other critical hindrances, yet my mother used to work here and there to be able to pay the education fees and provide me and my sisters with the necessary stuff. My father also migrated abroad to find a way out so as to support my family to survive and become well educated and raised. In fact, some of my childhood friends could not afford the school fees; so, they used to temporarily stop and work till they get enough money then resume. Despite all these obstacles, I fortunately never gave up and with all determination I continued with my studies and now I am successfully graduating this year from petroleum engineering faculty, which plenty of people cannot believe that it is offered in Somalia.”
Abdirahman notes that educational system in his country has dramatically changed since the destructing civil war stopped in 2010. For instance, before this time, there was not even a united curriculum or system taught in Somali schools. Arabic and English curriculum systems were prepared and managed by FPENS Education Network and SAFE Education Network, respectively. Nowadays, the entire education system is proudly written in Somali language, set and administered by the ministry of education, culture, and higher education.
