QFFD signs pact to educate 57,600 Somali children
Pledge comes as part of Qatar’s commitment to help Somalia
QATAR Fund For Development (QFFD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia to support a local project by Education Above All (EAA) Foundation aimed at providing quality primary education to 57,600 Somali children.
The MoU also aims to provide alternative basic education to older children and retain them, empower teachers to use child-centred teaching practices, strengthen community education committees, and improve the project management capabilities of staff at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education.
QFFD General Director affirmed that the pledge comes as part of Qatar’s commitment to the government and people of Somalia, building on a number of projects covering several developmental areas in all states, including rehabilitating and developing infrastructure, stimulating the economy, creating jobs for youth and empowering women.
He added that Qatar would be keen to support the Somali government in achieving its comprehensive national goals. “Qatar is one of the biggest supporters of Somalia in
various fields. Education and empowering Somali people to contribute to building and developing their country is very important to us,” he added.
Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia Abdullahi Abukar Haji said, “We are grateful for Qatar’s support to my country during the past years.”
He affirmed that the Qatari-Somali relations have always been strong and beneficial. He furthermore commended the support provided by Qatar in various fields, especially in education.
For his part, CEO of Education Above Al Fahad Hamad Al Sulaiti said, “We must remember that education is an integral part of human capital and development, as well as an engine for sustainable devel
opment. Let us work together to provide a better future for all by ensuring equality and inclusion through providing quality education.
The project will work with the aim of promoting the enrolment of children deprived of formal primary education in the Somalia’s states of Puntland, Galmudug, Hershabil, Jubaland and south-western Somalia, and to ensure that nearly 57,600 out-of-school children have access to basic education, who were denied it as a result of displacement and poverty.”
Al Sulaiti said, “We value the efforts of both partners and those who support us to find sustainable solutions to help create a safe environment for education and prosperity.”