Somalia's Historic Education Reform: Quranic Schools to Be Officially Recognized
In a groundbreaking development, Somalia has announced the full integration of Quranic schools into its national education system, marking a significant shift in the country’s educational landscape. This landmark decision, unveiled on July 21, 2026, aims to standardize curricula, graduation requirements, and teacher qualifications across these religious educational institutions. Moving forward, Quranic schools will operate under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and will be officially recognized as accredited educational entities. Furthermore, the government plans to establish a centralized registry for religious educational institutions and a national council of Islamic scholars, signaling a commitment to enhancing the quality and accountability of religious education.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre introduced these reforms during the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of a master’s degree program in Islamic preaching and jurisprudence at the Somali National University in Mogadishu. The graduates, having studied at the university's Institute for Islamic Studies and Preaching, are poised to contribute significantly to the religious education landscape of Somalia. "For the first time in Somalia's history, Quranic schools will be officially recognized as part of the national education system," stated Barre, emphasizing the importance of this reform.
Historically, Quranic schools have played a pivotal role in providing religious education to children in Somalia. However, these institutions have operated outside a cohesive state framework, leading to disparities in educational content, teaching quality, and teacher qualifications that vary widely between schools and regions. The government's initiative aims to implement nationally recognized curricula and an accreditation system, allowing these schools to issue state-recognized diplomas while subjecting them to regular oversight.
Moreover, the reforms include the establishment of mandatory standards for teachers. Educators in Quranic schools will be required to undergo formal training and possess verifiable qualifications. The oversight of these institutions will transition from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Education, thereby aligning Quranic schools with the broader educational system.
In conjunction with these reforms, the government is developing a digital registration system for Quranic schools, Islamic institutes, and universities. This system will enable authorities to track educational institutions, students, diplomas, and academic credentials, facilitating the verification of diplomas and degrees. Additionally, it aims to provide the government with a clearer understanding of the number and structure of religious educational institutions.
Barre contextualized these measures within a broader reform of the state administration, highlighting Somalia's gradual rebuilding of its governmental structures and the digitalization of various public services, including education. Alongside the educational reforms, the government is also planning to establish a Supreme Council of Somali Scholars, which will work on formulating and publishing unified religious legal opinions, known as fatwas. Until now, such opinions have often been issued independently by individual clerics or religious institutions. The government’s intention is to institutionalize and coordinate religious legal interpretations nationwide.
"The state must take responsibility for ensuring that official Islamic guidance is organized and standardized," Barre remarked. The cabinet has already approved the draft law for the establishment of this council, which now awaits approval from the Somali Parliament before it can take effect. According to the Prime Minister, the council will be provided with its own offices and libraries for Islamic scholars.
Additionally, Barre urged Somali universities to align their academic offerings more closely with the legal and economic changes occurring within the country. There is a pressing need for judges and legal professionals with expertise in maritime law, petroleum law, Islamic law, and financial crimes. In recent years, Somalia has been developing new legal and administrative frameworks for its coastal waters, natural resources, and financial sector, which has led to a growing number of processes and disputes that currently have limited specialized personnel available to address them.
Furthermore, the incorporation of auditing and Islamic legal assessments of modern financial and administrative issues into academic training is also a priority. The government envisions that the first master's graduates from the Institute will be deployed in courts, religious institutions, and government agencies, thus contributing to the development of a robust legal framework that is responsive to Somalia's evolving needs.
As reported by fokus-afrika.de.
