On Sunday, teachers from Somalia’s public schools gathered outside the Ministry of Education in Mogadishu to protest the termination of their contracts, effective August 31. Holding placards and chanting, “We demand justice, not oppression,” they expressed their frustration over being asked to leave their positions without adequate notice or compensation.
One placard questioned, “Is it fair to tell a teacher who has worked for 11 years to leave?” as the protesting teachers continued chanting for justice.
Recruited in 2015, many teachers said they were hired following a Ministry of Education recruitment drive. After undergoing examinations and training at Mogadishu University, they were employed. “We completed our training, passed the ministry’s test, and were then employed,” said one teacher who preferred to remain anonymous.
Despite enduring numerous challenges, including working through conflict and bombings, the teachers argued they deserve fair treatment. Khadija Sheikh Abukar, a teacher at Ex-Karaan School who began her career in 1988, told the BBC Somali Service, “We worked under difficult circumstances despite the absence of a central government.”
Highlighting the hardships faced by Somali teachers, Khadija Sheikh Abukar, a veteran teacher and member of the protesting committee, addressed the media in Mogadishu. She emphasized their demand for fair treatment as their contracts are set to end on August 31.
Informed that next month would be the last they would receive their paychecks, Khadija added, “As national teachers who have faced hardships in nurturing the youth, being told now to leave is unacceptable.”
Within Somalia’s education system, the protest is part of a larger context of issues. Teachers have long reported being demoralized by low pay, which often does not match the rising living costs and lack of support. Many teachers take on additional jobs to supplement their income, and some move to the outskirts of the city to find cheaper housing, resulting in longer commutes and further strain.
Although the government has made recent efforts to dramatically improve education, including quadrupling the education budget in January 2023 and allocating funds for hiring 3,000 new teachers in 2024, challenges persist. In July 2024, another recruitment drive for 3,000 teachers was announced. These initiatives aim to improve teacher-student ratios and educational outcomes, but the implementation has faced hurdles.
