The school, which was officially opened in June 2006, was named after the late Abdalla Deerow Isak—a former constitutional minister and speaker of the Somali parliament—who was assassinated by terrorist groups in Baidoa.

Today, the school serves 1,578 students, all of them girls, attending both morning and afternoon classes.

According to the school principal, Maano Mohamed Nur, the aim of establishing the school was “to provide education exclusively for girls who either lacked access to education or could not afford school fees.”

Girls’ education in Somalia remains fraught with challenges, rooted in cultural, economic, and security-related issues.

Traditional social norms often prioritize boys’ education, while girls are expected to stay home, marry early, or care for household duties.

In many low-income families, school expenses—such as uniforms, learning materials, and transport—are unaffordable, and boys are given priority.

Insecurity in certain regions and the threat of violence further deter girls from attending school, particularly for internally displaced girls facing unstable conditions.

Infrastructure issues also pose a significant barrier. The school’s facilities are under strain, and the lack of separate toilets, menstrual hygiene kits, and sufficient sanitation equipment forces many adolescent girls to stay home during their periods.

NGOs previously helped fill these gaps, but that support has now dwindled.

“The NGOs used to provide hygiene kits for the girls, learning materials like white chalks, and sanitation equipment,” Principal Maano said. “But now, the NGOs are facing their own challenges, and we no longer receive the assistance we used to have.”

Sixteen-year-old Jamila Abdiwahab, now in Form Three of secondary school, must navigate these obstacles daily.

“The challenge I face is that my school is far from our house,” she said. “When it rains, the road gets flooded and full of potholes, making it impassable. On those days, I cannot go to school.”

Climate-related issues like flooding have only worsened the situation in Baidoa. Still, despite the challenges, many girls are determined to continue their education.

Fourteen-year-old Anisa Ali Hassan, also in Form Three, said, “I don’t like staying at home. Education is important. I would tell other girls that staying at home will not bring you anything. I urge you to go to school. Get an education for yourselves—it will help your family and your future.”

Another concern raised by Principal Maano is early marriage, which continues to be a major barrier for girls’ education in Somalia.

“When a girl is educated, she benefits herself, her family, her parents, and the entire country,” Maano said. “An educated girl represents an educated whole society. If a girl receives an education, she influences the entire community.”

In Baidoa, some young women drop out of school after early marriages end in divorce or abandonment, leaving them with children and no support.

This situation leads many to feel hopeless or isolated. But Maano emphasized that it’s never too late to return to school.

“Even if a man once deceived you into early marriage, and now you have one or two children and have been left alone—you can still learn,” she said.

“No one is too old to learn. Education is not about age; it’s about your desire. Education is open and free for you. Come to Abdalla Deerow School—we welcome and support every girl who wants to learn.”

The post As Aid Dries Up, Baidoa’s All-Girls School Fights to Keep Doors Open for Somalia’s Future Women Leaders appeared first on Kaab TV.

Even those graduating from universities emerged without the necessary skills to work in fields related to their degrees.

This has impacted many generations, raising concerns about the quality of education and the type of curricula students are exposed to.

However, recently, some educational institutions have begun to reform their curricula to produce students who are better prepared for today’s global society, especially one shaped by technology.

Al-Nawawi School in Garowe, which caters to primary, secondary, and high school levels, has introduced computer labs and computer programming courses where students learn various software applications.

Electricity engineering, CCTV security cameras installation, and graphic designing, including image editing, are among the subjects students are taught there.

Muniiro Abdinur Osmaan, a student currently in Form 3, shared that more and more girls are now part of the cohort learning computer skills.

“I am being trained as a graphic designer. I hope to achieve a lot. It is often said that boys excel in these skills, but I encourage the girls,” she said.

‘Girls Can Reach the Highest Levels’

Umaya Mohamed Ibrahim, another Form 3 student, explained that the modern global environment has influenced students’ direction, pushing them to focus on learning computer skills.

“Initially, we knew very little. Now, we have learned many things. We can print documents, and we have learned different software,” she said.

She also stated that girls can surpass boys if they are properly trained in skills and given equal opportunities.

Mohamud Abdullahi, a teacher at the Al-Nawawi High School, explained that the school decided to introduce computer skills when it became clear how essential these skills were for students’ futures, especially in the face of the challenges Somali students face today.

“As we all know, students have demonstrated success in skills such as electrical wiring, CCTV operation, and working with various software. This is due to the global job market’s current demand and the need for students to improve both their experience and economic situations,” Maxamuud told Kaab TV.

While this initiative has started in just one school, with others possibly following suit, there are still challenges ahead.

The quality of education in Somalia faces significant challenges that hinder students’ ability to acquire essential skills.

Schools operate in overcrowded classrooms, with few skilled teachers capable of teaching the necessary subjects.

Educational resources such as books and equipment, like computers, are often not available to all students.

Girls account for only 17% of those who receive primary education in Somalia, indicating that many girls still lack access to education and remain confined to their homes.

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