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Hirda changes education system
The three-year program is changed from 2008 to 2010. Henceforth,
Hirda covers part of the education
Hirda paid the complete cost of the three-year education programme that lasted from 2004 to 2007 including salaries, books etc. As for the expenses, the community did not have to contribute but only to participate voluntarily and sometimes for the safety.
However, we want to change that, we did this last year to create awareness in the community. We have pointed out to the parents the usefulness of their involvement in participating in the community work and in their children's education. To make education a success parents have to take ownership, this means they have to take responsibilities. Not only taking responsibilities they have to be more active in school activities.
Another reason is that Hirda cannot always cover the cost for the education. This was our initial plan when Hirda was founded ten years ago. We have decided hence forth to economize in the finances. From now on, Hirda pays only expenses of vulnerable children who cannot in any possible way cover the expenses. That vulnerable group of children is divided into three categories; the orphans, internal refugees as category of vulnerable children from other parts of Somalia that do not have anyone to rely on.
The last group are children from a large family of about more than twelve children of which the family cannot afford the children's education.
This change will be seen in the two Hirda primary schools in Bardera and Abudwaq.
This will means that fifty percent of the children will have their cost paid by their families while Hirda will cover the remaining considered as most vulnerable.
´The underlying thought of this action is also to create sustainability, something we have had in mind from the beginning, ten years now, ´, according to Mr. Egal from Hirda Board of Directors. Instead of giving them fish repeatedly, teach them how to catch fish so that they will understand how essential and precious education is. Another reason is to provide security for them and let them be aware that donors will not make financial contribution forever. Through awareness, they understood the usefulness and gradually be adjusted to this new method of education to be more independent. This will finally lead for improvement for all parties including Hirda.
The history of education in Somalia relates much to cultural education. In the past, the government covered every expense as far as education is concerned, primary and even up to the university level. This has changed because of the prolonged war. With no government on charge has meant no educational institution. People abroad subsidize the schools that are in existence. In the past years, Hirda Foundation covered all expenses for all the children in its schools. From 2008, a new system has required half of the children who can foot the school bill themselves to do so.
The reason for this change is because the educational system in the Somalia need to reflect practices is Western countries where parents always take financial responsible for their children's education. By taking financial responsibility on their own, they realise how valuable and precious education is. They work harder to cover the bill themselves. This was at the core of Hirda Foundation educational planning some ten years ago when its considered the vitality and thought of applying western education system to the country of origin (Somalia). According to Mr. Egal, "it has been a very slow process because Somalis are used to free education system. Remarkably, after working for ten years for alteration and awareness, our plan has now been realised.
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