Sinu-jiif, Garowe (Febuary 5, 2015) – Somali Family Services in partnership with MoE officials from Gender Unit and Dangoroyo District Education Office conducted a one day community sensitiation and social mobilization campaigns which was facilitated by MoE officials and other educational experts. The campaign forum had brought togther 48 people comprising of Sinu-jiif primary school CECs members, children, teachers, parents, religious  and traditional leaders of Sinu-Jiff location in Garowe district, Nugal region.

The aim of the campaign dubbed‘‘ Go to School, Back to School, Stay in School ‘ was to explain the objective of Basic Education for pastoralists project in which the faciliators discussed pertinent issues on girl-child education, enrolment of out-of school children and rention of schooling children whilst focus or empahsis was placed on children participation in discussion-making process especially the girls moreover the campaign  was meant to increase enrolment and retention of children from pastoral and agro-pastoral communities especially girls through improved and responsive access opportunities to quality and equitable basic education services in Sinu-jiif location.

SFS aims to give access  and quality education to out-of school boys and girls through this campaign. During the campaigns, key messages on importance of education, community ownership and also the need to provide equal opportunities to girls and boys in education was one of the key issues  addressed during community mobilization and sensitization campaigns.

Suni-Jiif Primary school CECs members and some of the parents were given opportunity to discuss the challenges that hinders girls enrollment and rention; Here is what they had to say in uniform: ‘‘Limited awareness raising on girl-child education, Somali culture and taboos that is obstacle to girls enrolment in school and girls defined family chores. They pledged to send their children to school now that they are enlightened on imprtance of education“.

A similar campaigns will be conducted in Yibayiil village in Dangoroyo district and Har-Har village in Burtinle district and lastly in Garowe in which SFS plans to invite high government officials from the MoE&HE, MOWDAFA and other education actors.

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For more information, please contact Mohamed Hassan at mohamed.hassan@ussfs.org or visit www.ussfs.org.