Education authorities in Somalia have announced the launch of a new campaign entitled the Go 2 School Initiative. The new program will be led by Somali education officials, with the intent of providing access to education for one million out-of-school children.
As part of the legacy of decades of civil war, currently only 40% of Somali children are in school-one of the lowest school enrollment rates in the world. Many start school late and drop out early. Female student enrollment is particularly low.
The Go 2 School Initiative will attempt to boost enrolment rates by encouraging parents to bring their children to free government schools, building new schools, and training teachers. The campaign will cover basic education for students aged 6-13 years, and alternative education programs for displaced, nomadic, and pastoralist children.
The new campaign will also provide basic skills education for teenagers, in hopes of providing an alternative path to the criminal gangs and armed groups into which they are often at risk of being recruited.
“Giving children and young people an education is crucial for their own future and that of their family and community,” said Dr. Maryan Qasim, Minister for Human Development and Public Services. “But education is also crucial for maintaining peace and stability. Education can be Somalia’s true peace dividend.”
Go 2 School is estimated to cost $117 million over three years, and is being supported by international partners like UNICEF, UNESCO, and various NGOs. Local Somali politicians and religious leaders have expressed support for the initiative, as have prominent figures in the Somali diaspora.
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Written by Carla Drumhiller Smith