By Goth Mohamed Goth
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E Muse Bihi Abdi, inaugurated 106 educational facilities composed of new 100 schools, 5 libraries, and new premises for the Somaliland Ministry of Education and Science, funded by state and other donor agencies in Somaliland.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Education, members of the cabinet, the second vice-chairperson of the KULMIYE party, senior officials and various staff members, and other dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Education headquarters. Various presentations detailing the ministry’s approach to implementing these educational facilities in the country, to meet the national educational needs.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E Muse Bihi Abdi, at the ceremony launched the AQOONJIRE Program, a syllabus-based program that preloaded data to solar-powered tablets that will hence be disseminated to rural students as learning material. He also inaugurated the Somaliland Education Channel, which will regularly broadcast educational material to all schools countrywide.
Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Diriye (Toorno), the Minister of Education, Mr. Ahmed Hassan Nur, the Deputy Minister, and Mr. Ahmed Abokor, the Director-General, in their opening remarks, expounded on the importance of developing and modernizing the state-owned schools and improving education in line with the national education policy for all young children in Somaliland.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Muse Bihi Abdi, during the ceremony, inaugurated the newly built premises and unveiled the projects implemented by the Ministry of Education.
President Muse in his keynote address highlighted the importance of pursuing quality education and in relation to the change, that youth empowerment could bring to foster the sustainable development of the country, inclusive education could be one of the driving forces allowing youth to develop their autonomy and participation in country’s development
The Head of State in his remarks underlined the importance of the Ministry of Education’s role in community awareness, unity, and enhancing the betterment of the society. ” The Ministry of Education strives to equip their students with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure meaningful youth participation and empowerment towards an inclusive sustainable change since we cannot always rely on international aid organization, we have to change that perception, we should not depend on others for help.
Finally, the President commended the education fraternity for their efforts to extend education to rural and urban areas, in order to increase the opportunities for young people to receive a quality education.
