EU launches 7 million Euros education support for Puntland

The European Union in conjunction with the Puntland state government Monday launched the second phase of the Puntland Education Sector Support Programme aimed at educational infrastructure support and teacher capacity building.

The programme which involves multi agency implementation builds on the first phase which ended in November 2015 having successfully benefited 21,000 primary school children and 6,7000 secondary school chidren. Another 830 youth benefited through vocational skills training also.

TheWaxbarashadu Waa Iftiin (Education is Light) phase I also constructed 10 new schools and 145 new classrooms

Speaking during the launch, EU Ambassador and Special Envoy to Somalia, Michele Cervone d’Urso said the programme was crucial in promoting social inclusion and cushioning the youth from radicalisation and being attracted to militia groups.

“Education is essential in alleviating poverty, building peaceful societies and promoting social inclusion. Educated youth are less likely to become radicalized, attracted to militias and join other destabilising activities. It is on this basis that the EU continues to prioritize and support education development in Puntland,” said d’Urso.

The programme also incorporates special measures for children with special needs, children from pastoralist communities and girls. Waxbarashadu Waa Iftiin (Education is Light) II will be complemented by another new EU funded education programme worth 1.9 Million Euros focusing on curriculum and examinations, read a statement from the EU in Somalia.

The EU said the programme is in alignment with the education priorities set out in the Puntland Education Sector Strategic Plan, Peace and State-building Goal (PSG 5) of the New Deal Compact as well as the recently unveiled Sustainable Development Goals.