MOGADISHU, Somalia – President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has paid warm tribute to teachers across Somalia and the diaspora as the nation marked Somali Teacher’s Day on November 21 — a date deeply woven into the country’s history and identity.
First celebrated in 1974, the day stands as a nationwide salute to the men and women who shape Somalia’s future from inside classrooms, often with limited tools but limitless dedication. Schools across the country closed their doors today, giving students, communities, and leaders a moment to reflect on the extraordinary role of educators in rebuilding and strengthening the nation.
For President Mohamud, the occasion carries personal meaning. Long before he entered politics, he was a teacher and scholar — someone who championed learning even when Somalia faced its darkest years. During the height of the civil war, when formal systems collapsed, he worked alongside other educators to keep teaching alive, helping reopen schools and programs so young Somalis would not lose their chance to learn.
In his message today, the President reminded the nation that Somalia’s revival depends on the strength of its education system. He praised teachers in bustling cities and remote villages alike, calling them the true architects of Somalia’s future. Their daily efforts, he said, lay the foundation for lasting peace, opportunity, and national progress.
Somali Teacher’s Day is more than a tradition — it is a renewed commitment to valuing knowledge, investing in education, and honoring those who light the path for generations to come.
