FTL Somalia

Somali Education Officials Seek Inspiration in Rwanda’s Gender Equity Gains

Kigali, Rwanda – Somali education officials have embarked on a learning mission to Rwanda, aiming to draw lessons from one of Africa’s most celebrated success stories in girls’ education and inclusive learning. Representatives from the federal Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education, alongside delegates from Federal Member State education ministries, are attending the Gender and Inclusive Education Exchange hosted in Kigali.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment in Somalia’s education reform drive. While the country has made strides in expanding access to schooling, persistent disparities — particularly for girls, children with disabilities, and learners in rural or displaced communities — continue to challenge national progress. Rwanda, by contrast, has become a continental reference point for gender parity in education, achieving near-equal enrolment between boys and girls and integrating inclusive policies across its school system.

“We are not here just to observe but to understand how Rwanda turned policy into tangible change,” said one Somali delegate, noting that political will alone is not enough without strong implementation structures.

Participants are expected to engage with Rwandan policymakers, school administrators, and grassroots advocates to discuss practical interventions ranging from community engagement and safety policies for schoolgirls to accessible infrastructure and gender-responsive teaching methods.

Somali officials say they intend to adapt Rwanda’s best practices rather than replicate them wholesale, acknowledging Somalia’s unique social and cultural context. However, they view the exchange as a critical step toward building a more equitable education system at home.

The delegation is expected to return with policy recommendations and a framework for intergovernmental collaboration across Somalia’s federal and regional education bodies. Advocates hope the trip will mark not just a diplomatic gesture, but a turning point in how Somalia delivers education — not just for some, but for all.