Thursday August 15, 2024
FILE - Somali students diligently focus on their secondary school national exams in Mogadishu, reflecting the growing importance of education in rebuilding the nation's future.
Mogadishu (HOL) — More than 26,000 candidates have applied for 3,000 teaching positions in Somalia, highlighting the severe unemployment crisis and the challenges facing the country's education system. The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education announced the recruitment drive to address the critical shortage of teachers and expand access to education nationwide.
This recruitment follows a similar drive last year, which also hired 3,000 teachers who are now part of the National Teachers of Somalia.
The Ministry has set a target for 30% of the new hires to be women. Of the 26,570 applicants, 21,083 are men, and 5,487 are women. So far, 12,670 candidates, including 9,546 men and 3,124 women, have passed the initial written exam and will proceed to the next selection stage.
The recruitment drive is supported by a significant budget increase. In 2023, Somalia's education budget was quadrupled to $34 million, the highest allocation in recent years. Despite this increase, critics argue that the funding is still insufficient to meet the country's educational needs. UNICEF estimates that 3 million Somali children are currently out of school due to poverty, insecurity, and a lack of resources.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has emphasized that the government is prioritizing areas with limited access to education, particularly those regions previously controlled by al-Shabab. The government has directed security agencies and the Ministry of Education to collaborate in reclaiming educational facilities that have been occupied or damaged, ensuring that these new teachers can serve effectively in their roles.