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Free primary education declared in autonomous region of Somalia
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 06:53:56 PM by mb5
Free primary education declared in autonomous region of Somalia
Jan 25, 2011-SOS Children - by Laurinda Luffman
In the last twenty years, Somalia has split into three distinct areas. The south and central parts of the country are ruled by the Transitional Federal Government, with large areas currently controlled by militant Islamist groups (Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam) fighting against the government and soldiers from the African Union.
The north eastern region, where a third of Somalia’s population lives, was declared as the autonomous state of Puntland in 1998. And in the north, there is Somaliland, an autonomous state since 1991. Unlike Puntland, this region would like to be independent as the Republic of Somaliland.
Since it offers a stable environment and functioning democracy (three parliamentary elections have been held since 1991), Somaliland has become home to many refugees from the southern and central parts of the country. A spokesperson for Africa Human Rights Watch estimates there are at least 300,000 refugees living in centres for the displaced in Somaliland and perhaps another 200,000 who have assimilated into the towns and cities. These refugees put a huge strain on health and other public services such as education in Somaliland. The director general of Somaliland’s Education Ministry estimates that 10 per cent of the state’s primary school children come from south-central Somalia.
However, despite this extra strain on resources, that government of Somaliland has declared it will introduce free education at primary and intermediate levels of schooling this year. Mohamed Hashi Elmi, the Finance Minister of Somaliland said that of the 200,000 students currently enrolled in primary and intermediate schools, just under 22,000 currently benefit from free education. The Minister announced that a further 1,500 teachers have been hired to cope with extra demand and salaries for teachers will be doubled (as well those of other civil servants and national forces personnel). The Finance Ministry therefore expects the education budget this year to need around 60 million dollars of the total 90 million government budget, though this increase has yet to be passed by Somaliland’s Council of Ministers and House of Representatives.
Some experts have warned the proposed salary increase will not be enough to offset the current level of parent-support fees given to teachers, who currently earn between 100-180 dollars with these top-ups. With the increase from the government, the maximum state salary would only be around 100 dollars. Experts are also concerned about the possibility for a dramatic increase in pupil numbers. When countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania introduced universal primary education, enrolments increased by around 200 per cent. There is concern that Somaliland does not have the capacity to handle huge extra numbers and the quality of the education will be affected.
Despite such doubts being raised openly, the Somaliland government seems determined to honour its election pledge from last year to provide universal education so that poor families can send their children to school. And parents in Somaliland have naturally welcomed the news. One father, Nimo Ahmed Nuh, said “I used to worry about school fees daily, because if I don’t pay on time, my children get thrown out of school.” He is therefore extremely happy to see the ruling party in Somaliland stick to the election promise they made.
http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/free-primary-education-declared-in-autonomous-region-of-somalia
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