Dhusamareb, Saturday 10 June 2023 – Galmudug state President, H.E Ahmed Abdi Karie, has cut the ribbon at the new building of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education in Galmudug State, which consists of 20 offices that are fully equipped to help ministry’s efforts in providing equitable and quality education to school-age children in Galmudug State of Somalia.

Save the Children Somalia Education Sector Plan Implementation Grant (ESPIG)-Maximum Country Allocation (MCA) programme funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) constructed and furnished the new facility. The programme, which Save the Children is Grant Agent supports 147 schools across the Federal Member States and Banadir Regional Administration in Southern Somalia, including 36 schools in Galmudug State. The ESPIG MCA program aims to increase equitable access to and quality of Early Childhood Care and Education Services, increase equitable access to quality primary education for out-of-school children, and strengthen the education system.

The new ministry headquarters will provide adequate space for the ministry staff and enhances the quality of education services that the children of Galmudug deserve. 

H.E Ahmed Abdi Karie and his cabinet from Galmudug State including the Minister of Education, community leaders, and Save the Children, Somalia’s Country Director, graced the occasion.

 H.E Ahmed Abdi Karie, The President of the Galmudug State:

 “The new building of the Ministry of Education is a testimony for our commitment to invest in education and ensure that children in Somalia and children in Galmudug State have access to equitable and quality education. When we assumed the Government Office in Galmudug three years ago only 27,000 children were able to go to school, but now about 92,000 children are in school.

“Therefore, we believe this investment will further improve access to equitable and quality education for children in Galmudug State”

Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, Save the Children Country Director:

“Save the Children have been working with communities in Galmudug State since 2011.  We have been supporting Somali children access to and quality education and strengthening government systems.  

“We believe education will give chance to children so they can realize their potential, create a better adults and contribute to the development of the country. We believe it is a universal right and that every child should have the opportunity to survive, learn, and be protected. Thus, the new facility will contribute to our mandate in investing in children’s education in Somalia.

Under the ESPIG MCA program, Save the Children constructed, rehabilitated and furnished 189 classrooms in 36 schools in Galmudug, benefiting more than 14,000 learners. The program has also been supporting the centralized grade 8 national exam in Galmudug over the last four years. This year alone, over 5,000 students participated in the grade 8 examinations.