Education Somaliland ?.
1. How do we fancy working in Somaliland? Mmmmm! Last month Derek Nkata, the head of Link in Uganda, surprised us with this offer. A representative of an Africa-wide education organisation who had been working in Somaliland, had been telling Derek that the Ministry of Education there was looking to re-establish an inspectorate and introduce a new curriculum. Did Derek know of anyone with appropriate credentials who might be able to advise and work with the Ministry? Well, in brief, we were fingered. Later that week we met the man from Somaliland in Kampala.
2. We did a fair bit of googling on Somaliland before our meeting. Firstly, it was obviously vital that we distinguished between Somaliland and Somalia. You would not want to go to Somalia. There is considerable internal conflict fuelled by warring factions including Al Shabaab and the pirates of the Indian Ocean who operate out of Somalia, about whom you’ve read in connection with kidnappings on the high seas. Somalia is a failed state. Somaliland is not.
3. Somaliland is a very poor country (much poorer than Uganda), but apparently operates effectively as a political entity. Our research basically informed us that although it is not recognised internationally, the UN (esp UNICEF), the EU and indeed DfID are working on a range of projects supporting development in Somaliland. All our reading indicated that the country, particularly around the capital Hergeisa, is a safe place to be. Our man in Somaliland confirmed all of the above. He confirmed that the government wants an inspectorate (obviously the Somaliland teachers just can’t wait for that). Not only that, but the rationale for a new curriculum is that it should be outcomes-based with an emphasis on skills and continuous assessment. Sounds familiar? He, of course, inquired about our backgrounds and experience. At our age we’re beginning to get the hang of interview techniques, and managed to convince him that we were just the people for the job.
4. Anyway, he explained that the plan would be to beam into Hargeisa (the capital of Somaliland) from Nairobi on a UN flight (no Easy Jet flights to Somaliland) for around three weeks in July, and then again in October. (That should be time enough to introduce an inspectorate and a new curriculum!!) I suspect approaches to consultation in Somaliland may differ from those applied ad nauseam to Curriculum for Excellence. I suspect we might find the view that it is ridiculous to consult or work with potentially troublesome partners on something as important as a new curriculum. We would be based in a hotel within easy reach of the Ministry, and would have nothing to fear safety/security-wise. The hotel – the Maan Soor Hotel – looks a very acceptable base indeed. Basically we would continue our work in Uganda, with this little diversion to keep us from wearying.
5. Just three minor barriers to be overcome. Firstly, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Somaliland. (No matter that EU, UN and DFID have an active presence, and that the capital has the reputation of being safe/stable etc.) Given FCO advice, any NGO would have to be convinced that they could confidently support the venture. On the positive side, there are strategic arguments for any NGO to become involved in Somaliland. It looks as if the country will be recognised by the UN in the foreseeable future; most NGOs want to be engaged in the poorest countries in the world; it would give an NGO the opportunity of strengthening its international profile and reputation; and any NGO would benefit from early involvement with partners such as UNICEF, DfID etc.
On the other hand, one has to consider the implications of the absence of a British Consulate/High Commission, the (considerable) costs of insurance cover, and the (significant) risks to an NGO’s reputation if something nasty were to befall us. In our case, we await a final decision. (Link is very supportive of the idea – I’m sure the fact that Link (not us) will be well remunerated for our services is neither here nor there!)
6. Maybe I should have said earlier, although you may already have guessed, that we are very enthusiastic about this venture. The opportunity to mould an inspectorate (and we would propose different nomenclature – maybe “Education Somaliland”?) which is supportive of improvement with straightforward operational arrangements, with minimal bureaucracy, and a focus on outcomes for children, is an attractive proposition. Similarly attractive is the chance to be involved in initiating a curriculum that is relevant to the needs of children and the ambition of the country (“Ambitious Excellent Schools”?)
7. The second and third barriers are that there seems to be no golf course in Somaliland for some strange reason, and no alcohol. (Actually, I’ve always fancied getting into golf course design. Rory McIlroy, as an ambassador for UNICEF, might lend a hand.)
8. Maybe it’ll happen, maybe not. But fingers are crossed.
By Stuart and Elisabeth Ritchie.
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