Puntland Interior Minister Abdi Hirsi Ali (Qarjab) revealed the initiative while speaking at the opening session of the Garowe District Council. He said the government is finalizing arrangements to implement the policy in the near future.

“The government is currently working on a plan that will soon be implemented to make public primary and intermediate education free across Puntland,” Minister Qarjab said.

If implemented, the policy would mark a significant step in expanding access to education and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for thousands of families.

Education costs have long been a challenge for many households, particularly in rural and low-income communities where school fees often prevent children from attending or completing their studies.

The announcement comes as Puntland authorities continue efforts to strengthen public services and improve educational opportunities.

Officials say the initiative is intended to increase school enrollment, reduce dropout rates and ensure that more children have access to basic education regardless of their economic background.

The government has not yet released details on the funding mechanism, implementation timeline or the number of schools that will be covered under the program.

However, the proposal is expected to benefit students across Puntland if fully rolled out.

The move aligns with broader efforts in Somalia to improve access to education and support human capital development, with regional administrations increasingly seeking ways to make schooling more affordable for families.

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Minority communities and displaced families also face heightened risks, while journalists are often targeted for exposing abuses taking place across the country.

This week, the Baraarug campaign spoke with Abdullahi Hassan, Amnesty International’s researcher for Somalia and Sudan, who discussed the organization’s efforts to advocate for human rights in Somalia.

These include documenting U.S. drone strikes that have killed civilians, as well as broader concerns about accountability.

Mr. Hassan also highlighted the increasing attacks on journalists in Somalia and the severe chilling effect these have had on freedom of expression.

He emphasized that meaningful advocacy requires accountability.

That is why Amnesty International continues to engage with the Somali government and international partners who fund Somali authorities.

Most importantly, Mr. Hassan stressed that it is the duty of every Somali citizen—especially the youth—to stand up for their rights and demand that their human rights are respected.

The post Why Everyone Must Stand up for Human Rights in Somalia? appeared first on Kaab TV.

Statistics show that girls often face systemic disadvantages in education. According to data from 2022, only 28% of students enrolled in Somali schools were girls, leaving the majority, 72%, as boys.

Furthermore, literacy rates for adult women stood at less than 22%, compared to 54% for men.

Despite these challenges, the Gedo, a region marred by conflict, has recently shown progress in increasing girls’ enrollment in schools.

Girls now make up more than 40% of students in educational institutions in the region, a notable improvement.

In Balad Hawo district alone, over 12,000 students were enrolled in schools during the last academic year.

Of these, more than 5,500 were girls, accounting for 45% of the total enrollment, according to the Ministry of Education’s records.

Local Communities Push for Change

Some communities in Gedo are beginning to recognize the importance of educating girls. In Balad Amiin, a pastoral village about seven kilometers from the Kenyan border, a local primary and secondary school has seen a significant increase in female enrollment.

“Girls enrollment this year reached 367 out of 722 students,” said Ibrahim Kalil Ibrahim, deputy principal of the school. “This shows significant progress in girls’ education as the community has increasingly recognized its importance.”

Similar trends are evident in Balad Hawo Secondary School, the first government-run high school in the area.

The Balad Amiin school principal, Abdulna’em, noted a rise in the number of girls attending higher grades.

“In the past, girls were mostly in primary school classes, but now there’s a notable change,” he said.

However, he highlighted that financial barriers remain a challenge.

“When it comes to tuition fees, parents often prioritize boys, leaving many girls out of school even after they’ve started their education,” he added.

While progress is being made, educators report that cultural and economic challenges continue to hinder girls’ education in Somalia.

“Numerous challenges still hinder girls’ education, starting from the schools themselves,” said Abdiaziz Mubarak, head of research at Gedo University.

“In rural areas, when girls finish primary school, they cannot access secondary schools in towns because parents prioritize boys. Economic difficulties, cultural pressures, forced marriages, and traditional beliefs are also barriers,” Abdiaziz remarked.

Abdiaziz emphasized the importance of changing these perceptions.

“Some believe a girl who can read and write doesn’t need further education because her role is to marry and become a housewife. This mindset must change,” he added.

Advocates argue that ensuring equal access to education is essential for Somalia’s development.

They believe that educating girls is critical to rebuilding the nation after decades of conflict and instability.

“An educated mother is the cornerstone of an educated nation,” Abdiaziz said, underlining the importance of addressing these challenges to achieve societal progress.

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