Parents in Somalia Revive Local Schools

Open Equal Free
Friday, July 26, 2013

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Despite the absence of a national government for two decades and a state education system, Somalia’s inhabitants have experienced success. Somali parents have taken charge of the process to ensure the benefits of education in their children’s lives. Currently, parents and local organizations are working to renovate and revive abandoned schools.

Parents were convinced that their children would thrive once education was reintroduced. After some remodeling, adding new benches, and the addition of a fresh paint job, parents have revived several classrooms in a local school called Umulhura in Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. “I came up with the idea because I watched the children around me. They were roaming the streets because after the fall of the government, the schools were closed. I was afraid that the children would become criminals if they were not busy and did not learn anything,” says parent-activist Maryam Saleban Abokor. Maryam, together with other parents, organized the project and founded Umulhura 18 years ago.

Throughout Mogadishu, parents and local volunteer organizations began to follow suit. Parents, religious organizations, civic groups, and local aid organizations began establishing schools to provide education and hope for the future in the midst of civil unrest. A local aid organization DGB (Help for All) financially supports parent projects. DGB receives funding from German NGOs Caritas und Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and the German government.

The next challenge is to supply schools with a unified curriculum. “We’ve taken elements from the curriculum in the United Arab Emirates as well as parts of Kenyan and Saudi curriculum,” says Hassan Adwae Ahmed, director of Umulhura, “A committee of 40 parents then determines the final curriculum. That explains why there are differing lesson plans throughout the country.” School supporters are looking to have two umbrella organizations distribute certificates of achievement after schools complete final examinations so that curriculum and education systems across the country are relatively consistent.

In September 2012, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected in Somalia. The country began to see the sowing of seeds for renewed stability. However, parents are waiting for the new government to assume the responsibility of the education sector. Parents remain in charge of the schools. Also, the parents are responsible for setting fees and wages. Many Somalis struggle to pay school fees that range from as little as $7-12.

Recently, the UN officials report that approximately 40% of Somali children attend school. During military attacks, Islamist militants used schools as barricades. Somalis are eager to rebuild their education sector and continue to progress despite political adversity.

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