Since 1998, HIRDA has been promoting primary education programmes in Somalia. Its vocational schools started four years latter to train students who finished their primary education in technical skills. This will not only raise their chances of job opportunity in the labour market but will help to provide the country with basic technical skill needed in their production sector.  HIRDA assisted other students that preferred to continue secondary education with school materials like textbooks.

There are several secondary schools run by other NGOs in Gedo region with loose links. It is important to put in place a coordination system for secondary schools in the region. Therefore, HIRDA took the initiative to create an umbrella for higher education at the beginning of 2008 and invited seven NGOs involved in education in the region for their participation. The umbrella is called GEN (Gedo Educational Network) and was officially launched in March 2008.

The objective of GEN is to coordinate

• Educational Programmes in the region and share communication, lobbying and advocacy for better education quality
• Fundraising and teachers' training programme and setting-up a common syllabus
• Co-operation with other education networks in the country
• Co-operation and common policy with UN organizations supporting education programmes in the country like UNICEF and UNESCO

GEN became a partner with AET (African Educational Trust) in 2008. AET is based in London and provides services to different Somali Educational Umbrellas. These services include

• Textbooks
• Preparation of final examinations for grade eight and form four leaving examinations and supervision of exam corrections
• Issuing internationally recognised certificates for students leaving grate eight and form four
• Providing scholarship to graduates from secondary schools

Last year 17 students finished secondary school in Bardere - Gedo region. Most of these students couldn't find a job and they were not able to continue high education because of lack of University in Southern Somalia. HIRDA employed three girls out of these 17 students and attached them to HIRDA office.

AET grants scholarship for students that finishes secondary schools in Somalia yearly.  More than 200 students were eligible for scholarship this academic year 2007-2008 but only 18 students from all over Somalia were granted scholarship. Two students out of these 18 students (a girl and a boy) were from HIRDA School in Bardera. The selection was based on the record of the students. The students (the girl & the boy) will study at the teacher-training faculty in Amoud University in Borama - Somaliland and will serve in HIRDA schools for two years after they finish their education.

The scholarship award is a good development that will inspire other students in Secondary schools in Gedo region to achieve higher education. HIRDA will work closely with AET for more scholarships in the future.