STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Expand Access to Quality Basic Education Goals:
Ensure that all Somali children, regardless of gender, have access to free, quality basic education.

Improve literacy and numeracy rates among children in underserved areas.

Strategies:

Infrastructure Development: Construct and rehabilitate schools in rural and urban areas to create safe and conducive learning environments.

Teacher Training: Provide continuous professional development for teachers to enhance their pedagogical skills and subject knowledge.

Curriculum Development: Collaborate with educational authorities to develop a culturally relevant and competency-based curriculum that addresses the needs of Somali children.

Community Engagement: Involve community leaders and parents in the promotion of education, highlighting the long-term benefits of schooling for children.

Enhance Secondary Education Opportunities Goals:

• Increase enrollment and retention rates in secondary schools.
• Improve the quality of secondary education to better prepare students for higher education and the job market.

Strategies:

Scholarship Programs: Offer scholarships and financial support to students from low-income families, particularly focusing on girls and marginalized groups.
School Improvement Plans: Develop and implement comprehensive school improvement plans that include infrastructure upgrades, provision of learning materials, and extracurricular activities.
Capacity Building: Strengthen the capacities of school management committees and administrators through training and mentorship programs.
ICT Integration: Integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in secondary education to enhance learning outcomes and provide students with digital literacy skills.

Develop Effective Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programs

Goals:

Provide relevant and market-driven TVET programs that equip youth with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Bridge the skills gap in the Somali labor market by aligning TVET curricula with industry needs.
Strategies:

Market Assessment: Conduct regular assessments of the labor market to identify high-demand skills and emerging sectors.
Curriculum Development: Design and implement TVET programs that are responsive to market demands and include both theoretical and practical
Components.
Partnerships with Industry: Forge partnerships with local businesses and
Industries to facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and job placements for TVET graduates.
Support Services: Provide career counseling, job placement services, and startup support for TVET graduates to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial success.

Promote Gender Equality and Empowerment through Education Goals:
Ensure equal access to education for girls and boys.
Empower women and girls through educational initiatives that build their skills and confidence.
Strategies:

Awareness Campaigns: Conduct community awareness campaigns to promote the importance of girls’ education and challenge gender stereotypes.
Safe Learning Environments: Establish and enforce policies that create safe and supportive learning environments free from violence and discrimination.
Leadership Programs: Develop leadership and mentorship programs for girls and young women to build their confidence and leadership skills.

Women’s Education Initiatives: Support educational programs specifically designed for women, including literacy classes, vocational training, and business development courses.

Foster Community Involvement and Ownership Goals:
Strengthen community engagement and ownership of education initiatives.
Build sustainable education programs that are supported and maintained by local communities.

Strategies:

Community-Based Management: Establish and support community-based school management committees that involve parents, local leaders, and other stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Volunteer Programs: Develop volunteer programs that encourage community members to contribute their time and skills to support educational activities.
Resource Mobilization: Encourage local fundraising and resource mobilization efforts to support school projects and educational initiatives.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement community-based monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure accountability and continuous improvement of educational programs.

Implementation Framework

Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to leverage resources and expertise.

Capacity Building: Invest in the capacity building of SARO staff and local partners to effectively manage and implement educational programs.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, measure impact, and inform program adjustments.

Sustainability Planning: Develop and implement sustainability plans to ensure that educational initiatives continue to thrive beyond initial project phases.

Advocacy and Policy Influence: Advocate for policies and practices that support the expansion and improvement of education in Somalia, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations.