Earlier in 2023, the United Nations (UN) reported that more than 3 million children living in Somalia currently have no access to education. Poverty has an influence on children’s education in Somalia – the World Bank reports that 73% of people in Somalia live in poverty as of 2023. The following is an overview of the link between children’s education and poverty in Somalia.

Education in Somalia

UNICEF has highlighted several challenges affecting children’s education in Somalia. Parents in many areas are unable to afford their children’s education due to poverty, long distances to schools, safety concerns, social norms favoring boys’ education and a shortage of teachers, especially female ones. Additionally, the lack of sanitation facilities further hinders enrollment, especially for girls. Even for those attending school, challenges persist—overcrowded classrooms, inadequately trained teachers and a shortage of educational resources hinder the quality of education. Consequently, children face difficulties in achieving academic success.

Concerning gender inequality, a 2018 report from the Education, Policy and Data Center (EDPC) underscores disparities in Somali education. In 2006, 81% of girls aged 6-11 were not in school, compared to 77% of boys. Similarly, 79% of girls aged 14-17 were out of school, in contrast to 66% of boys. Gender norms influence this discrepancy, leading parents to prioritize their sons’ education over their daughters’ due to limited financial resources.

Schools are limited in rural areas, and often centralized in cities, making it challenging for children to commute. Due to insufficient government funding, due to extreme poverty fluctuations, the education system faces financial challenges. Amina Abdulle, a British primary school teacher working with girls in Somalia, reported that teaching conditions are tough, with a shortage of supplies due to funding issues. She also reported that poverty-related cuts have affected public education, making schooling less accessible, compounded by the introduction of school fees.

Ongoing Efforts

Speaking on what adjustments could improve the education in the Somali schooling system. Abdulle says, “I think there is a lot of room for improvement. But the changes don’t have to be drastic to make a difference.”

Save the Children is a children’s rights organization that has worked in Somalia since 1951, for more than seven decades. The organization’s efforts cover “health and nutrition, education, child protection and child rights governance,” the Save the Children website says. Through various forms of programming, the organization aims to improve the well-being of children. For instance, in terms of education in Somalia, Save the Children supports the Ministry of Health and the public education sector to rehabilitate school infrastructure, and provide quality training to educators while advancing the school curriculums and strengthening education policies.

What is Next?

The Save the Children website outlines its commitment to enhancing education access, particularly for marginalized groups such as rural and pastoralist communities, out-of-school children and internally displaced populations. The organization concentrates on elevating the quality of education services to enhance learning outcomes and advocates for equality and inclusiveness, particularly for girls and children with disabilities. Its educational initiatives follow a holistic approach, addressing child rights, protection, health and proper nutrition. In an interview, Abdulle noted that change is underway, albeit gradual, and emphasized the children’s eagerness to learn, expressing hope for appropriate transformations to benefit them.

– Sumaya Ali
Photo: Unsplash