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Somalia Marks International Day of The African Child With Commitment To Improve Access To Education
Somalia Marks International Day of The African Child With Commitment To Improve Access To Education
SHOT LIST:
KISMAYO:
25. Med shot, children matching to mark the International Day of the African Child in
Kismayo
26. Wide shot, children matching
27. Wide shot, children matching
28. Close up shot, children
29. Med shot, children holding a banner
30. Wide shot, children listening to Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamud, Jubbaland
Education Minister
31. Close up shot, children listening
32. SOUNDBITE: (Somali) Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamud, Jubbaland Education
Minister
“I am delighted to see children converge here to talk about their history and to know
their situation because children hold a lot of promise and if they are well raised
properly, they will build the future and dignity of this country.”
Mogadishu, 19 June 2018 - Somalia marked the International Day of the African
Child with a commitment to work closely with development partners to ensure
access to quality education for its youthful population.
Hassan Mohamed Ali, the Director General of the Ministry of Education, Culture and
Higher Education, said children in Somalia have a right to education like their
counterparts in other African countries, adding that the government will work
tirelessly to ensure its population is well educated.
“We hope this new curriculum will make a positive input into the education of the
Somali children. The curriculum will be adopted for use in schools across the
country, whether they are private schools or public schools,” said Mr. Ali, referring
to the recently launched education curriculum for primary schools.
The new curriculum is expected to be implemented in the new academic year, which
commences in August.
Mr. Ali, who spoke at an event held in Mogadishu, on Monday, described education
as the cornerstone for Somalia’s development, urging ministries and government
institutions to work together to improve schooling after decades of conflict.
Fartun Abdisalam, the Executive Director of Elman Peace Centre, who also attended
the event, advocated for the provision of free education for Somalia’s children,
saying the move would be a solution to the long-drawn conflict in the country.
“As we join the rest of the world to celebrate this day, let us know that the future of
this nation will depend on what we invest in our children. We need free education,”
said Ms. Abdisalam.
He noted that Benadir Regional Administration has so far managed to create job
opportunities for 3,000 youths, as part of the government’s initiative to address the
challenges faced by young people in Somalia.
In Jubbaland, the celebrations were held in Kismayo and attended by guests who
included ministers, members of Jubbaland state assembly, school children and
members of the civil society.
“I am delighted to see children converge here to talk about their history and to know
their situation because children hold a lot of promise and if they are well raised
properly, they will build the future and dignity of this country.”
“Children should not be recruited as soldiers but should be in school. Parents should
also encourage their children to learn,” said Mohamed.
The International Day of the African Child is marked every year on June 16. This
year’s theme is ‘leave no child behind for Africa’s development’ and is aimed at
creating awareness on the importance of protecting the rights of children and
ensuring both boys and girls have equal opportunities.
ENDS