Tadamun Social Society (TASS) recognizes the important role that education plays the well-being of a society. Clearly, education contributes to the enhancement of a person’s capability to better own well-being and actively participate in nation building. Investing in education, TASS aspires to lend its support to socio-economic development of Somalia in general and Puntland in particular where quality education manifests itself in better developmental indices.

Since 1992, TASS has provided education to over 50,000 pupils across seventeen primary and secondary schools in Puntland.  These schools are in the Bari, Karkaar, Nugaal, Mudug, Sool and Sanaag regions.  Additionally, TASS supports five schools in Bosaso by sponsoring 200 girls whose families cannot afford to pay for their schooling.  It also pays the salaries of one female teacher in each of these schools.  Almost 400 teachers have been trained and school enrolment rates have increased since the organisation was established.  Furthermore, TASS has trained young women who dropped out from school in beneficial trades including textiles, handicraft, hygiene, first aid, cookery and computer skills.  By raising awareness of gendered equality in education, TASS has helped to transform social attitudes towards educating girls.  This has inspired more girls to enrol in schools and attain education, which will help them progress in life and provide economical and developmental benefits for the entire Puntland province.

TASS  works closely with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders committed to promote education in Somalia.  TASS manages schools and supports less-advantaged children in education through community fundraising.  15% of the chil­dren who are from very poor financial backgrounds or Internally Displaced Peoples’ (IDP) camps are not charged any fee and access education for free.

TASS has gone an extra mile to ensure that the education is of high quality, child-centred and the school is a safe place for the girls: physically and intellectually. Likewise, to promote the quality of teaching, TASS hired both local as well as foreign teachers to the schools it sponsors.

Half of the students have gone on to study in national and international universities with 15% receiving scholarships at prestigious institutions like East Africa University and Mogadishu University.  One out of every ten of these students have graduated and returned to their country to work as doctors, engineers, teachers and accountants.

Civic education training

TASS has addressed the need to establish organised and equal education for all Somali children.  However, changing attitudes and enlightening teaching staff was also necessary for education to be a success in the Puntland state of Somalia.

TASS’s involvement in civic education is rationally founded on the premise that, this form of education globally has become the vital push towards democratic governance because it improves people’s knowledge and skills to participate more actively in public life. Furthermore, it is apparent that people who have little or no civic knowledge are not able to easily and usefully take part in a democratic process.  Therefore, it became necessary to train teachers and head teachers with a view to equip them with the necessary knowledge of civic education and hence prepare them for active involvement in their country’s socio-political and economic affairs.  The training was aimed at providing participants with adequate information and knowledge on the socio-political environments of their country and beyond.  It was designed to have multiplying effects with trained participants expected to train other teachers in their respective schools, thus promoting civic education.

School Board Management Training

TASS has organised training for school administrators and teachers to ensure schools have accountable, transparent and functioning boards that can address effective management and growth of their schools.  Following School Board Management Training in 2006, participants established a code of conduct for all school management boards. 

The aim behind this training was to improve management in schools and maintain professionalism for the benefit of teachers and children.  The training encourages innovative teaching methods to enhance enjoyment and participation of children in schools.  School boards are encouraged to provide feedback to TASS to flag post any challenges they face in practising these codes of conduct.

Skills Development Training

The skills development training package started in 2005, which benefited an initial 35 female participants.  The first phase comprised of 6 months intensive proficiency training in computer skills using Microsoft Office.  This was to address the vital need to promote computer skills and literacy in an age of Information Communications Technology (ICT).  These vital skills can empower individuals and give them scope to prosper in a modern workplace.  More importantly, TASS believes skills enhancement for girls and women is a vital ingredient for national development.

Curriculum Implementation

The schools’ core-curriculum delivery is monitored through continuous assessment tests to ensure learners are on track. Interclass competitions are carried out and students are rewarded accordingly to motivate and create competitive learning.  Results show high learning commitment and seriousness. Teachers strive to ensure satisfactory curriculum delivery.  TASS education officers conduct weekly schools inspections of teachers, students and schools management at large, to guarantee set standards are maintained.  To ensure quality curriculum delivery, TASS and MoE officials conduct inspection tours in all the schools.

Enrolment trend 2010

Achievements of our schools from 1992 to date:

• 41,968 pupils attained primary school education.
• 12,414 students attained secondary school education.
• 392 teachers have been trained.
• In 2010, student numbers has exceeded 10,000