Date posted: February 17, 2014

MOGADISHU

Turkish schools in Somalia have shown great success within two years, winning a total of 22 medals in Olympic competitions since 2011.

Attaching great importance to education in Somalia, Turkish schools play a significant role in rebuilding the country’s collapsed education system with the support of the Somali government.

Somali Higher Education and Culture Minister Duale Mohamed Adem emphasized Turkish schools’ contribution to the Somali people and students, saying, “These successful schools have renewed our hopes regarding the future of Somalia.”

Somalia has been struggling with civil war and drought for a long time, and Turkish schools have a special place in rebuilding the education system in the country, despite the fact that these schools were opened only two years ago. Nile Institutions have been active in Somalia for almost two years, but these institutions have achieved 22 medals in the international Olympics.

The country, with a population of 9 million, is fighting to overcome the negative effects of the civil war that started in 1988, with unending conflicts and bomb attacks across the country. The education system also experienced a huge collapse due to the long-lasting clashes. Terror and famine are other problems that Somalia is trying to deal with. The country continues its education in poor conditions in public schools due to a lack of classrooms and buildings. Tents are regularly used as places of education.

The Bedir Turkish High School in Mogadishu, Kıblenuma Elementary School, Kıblenuma Girl’s School and Somaliland Vifak Turkish School in the country offer modern vocational training for Somali children as well as winning medals in international contests, leading to increased hopes for a better future in the country.

Reviewing the achievements that Turkish schools have shown in Somalia, Minister Adem stated that these institutions have invested in Somalia’s future. “Winning 22 medals within two years all around the world touched us. I personally visited these institutions and observed their successes. I congratulate teachers who serve in these schools. They instill hope for a better future. As the state, we will do our best for the further achievements of these schools,” he said.

Mogadishu Bedir Turkish School Principal Bilal Köse stressed that the school began its activities in 2011 with 40 students in poor conditions, adding: “We have 450 students in our schools now. Fourteen Turkish, six Somali and two Egyptian teachers are serving in the schools. They are architects of such important success. With the medals that they won in two years, these students honor Somalia.”

Calling for more support from the Turkish people for these schools, Köse underlined that a serious security problem as well as famine threatens Somalia, adding: “Thirty-five Somali soldiers are protecting our school. We try to continue education under the shadow of bomb attacks and blasts. With more help and contributions, we can better serve the Somali people.”

These are some of the medals that Somali students in Turkish schools have won since 2011.

A gold medal for a short film titled “Her Gün Bir Güneş Doğar” (A Sun Rises Every Day) by students of Mogadishu Bedir Turkish High School in the Infomatrix Africa Competition 2013 held in Tanzania, marking the first international success Somalia has achieved in this competition .

A silver medal was won in the INEPO Environment Olympics in Baku by Bedir High School students with the project “Bitkisel İlaçlama” (Neem Tree). The same school’s students had previously won two bronze medals in 2012 in the same competition.

Two bronze medals in the Düşçizgisi Design Olympics Competition, in which 37 countries took part, with the projects “Çırpak,” and “Akıllı Çizgiler” (Intelligent Lines).

Gold and bronze medals in the Infomatrix Asia and Pacific Olympics in Kazakhstan were won with “Akıllı Saha Çizgileri” (Intelligent Area Lines) by students of Bedir Turkish High School.

Source: Todays Zaman , February 17, 2014

Tags: Africa | Education | Hizmet-inspired schools | Somalia |