Overview of the General Education System

Education in Somalia has evolved from oral traditions and Islamic Qur’anic schools, which taught basic literacy and religious studies, especially among nomadic communities. Under the British, Italian, and French colonies, education was fragmented and focused on colonial administration or labor with education delivered in Italian, English, or Arabic. After independence in 1960, Somalia reformed its education system, expanded the literacy campaigns, and increased teacher training and public schooling. The Somali National University developed into the most prominent institution of higher learning in the country. The eruption of civil war in 1991 however meant the end of formal education systems. Effort to reconstruct since then has been led by communities, non-government organizations, and autonomous regional governments that implemented reforms such as free primary education. But there are still challenges, despite continued efforts — low levels of enrollment, gender disparities and reliance on international aid.

The official languages of Somalia are Somali and Arabic, with Somalis used in laws and government. Arabic in prevalent in religious context. The predominant and formal language of instruction is Somali and Arabic languages, with English used in secondary and tertiary education.

At the national level, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) manages the development of the curriculum and teacher training, regulation of higher education and the certification and examination systems. There is regional level oversight with ministries such as the Galmudug’s Ministry of Education that handle localized implementation, including the operation of schools, recruitment, and curriculum delivery that is relevant to community needs. These bodies work together to ensure that fundamental standards, certification, and reporting are aligned, yet flexible, to support regional autonomy while promoting unified national educational objectives.

Somalia’s education system is based on 6-2-4-4 model, it consists of six years of primary education (Grades1-6), two years of lower secondary (Grades 7-8), four years of upper secondary (Grades 9-12), and generally four years of university or tertiary education. After finishing primary school, the student receives the Shahaadada Dugsiga Hoose, which is followed by the Shahaadada Dugsiga Dhexe after lower secondary. The upper secondary culminates with the Shahaadada Dugsiga Sare, which is a prerequisite to the university. At higher education, degrees, diplomas and professional certificates are conferred by universities and technical institute although distribution of quality and accreditation is uneven.