Somali gov’t introduces foundational year for university students

GOOBJOOG NEWS\MOGADISHU: Student taking degree programmes in Somalia will now have to stay an extra year to help them acquire basis language and foundation skills, the government has directed.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Higher Education released a circular directing all universities to include a foundational year in their degree programmes.

It therefore means in the first year, students will learn the Somali language including literature, culture and history, Arabic and English or the language the student will take in his university studies, Islamic Studies (General understanding and morals of Islam), Academic Writing Skills, Conflict Resolution Skills, Social Relations and Critical Thinking.

According to the circular, the new rules will take effect from the 2023/24 academic year which begins in September. The Ministry said the introduction of the foundational year was informed by the need to equip the students with the skills necessary to help them better understand the course they will be undertaking and make them more competent in the market once they graduate.

The directive follows recommendations from the National Conference on Education in March this year.