By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 7 September The Banaadir Education Directorate has released a list of 50 public schools offering free education across 18 districts in the region, urging parents to enrol their children.
The directorate said on Monday that parents seeking free education could register at any of the schools on the list.
The announcement comes as the 2026/27 school year gets underway. The directorate also released the schedule for the new academic year, which sets out the timetable for school activities.
The 50 schools are spread across Abdiaziz, Boondheere, Dayniile, Dharkenley, Garasbaaley, Gubadley, Hamar Jajab, Hamarweyne, Howlwadaag, Heliwaa, Hodan, Kaaraan, Kaxda, Shibis, Waaberi, Wadajir, Warta Nabadda and Yaqshiid.
The move comes as the Banaadir administration increases support for public schools. In March, Banaadir Governor and Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab said the administration had allocated nearly $300,000 to support school development in the region each academic year.
The funding was intended to support 48 public schools providing free education, while the federal government continues to pay teachers' salaries.The initiative is part of broader efforts to expand access to education in Somalia. Federal, state and Banaadir education officials agreed in August to strengthen the reach, quality and management of the country's education system.
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Officials also agreed to recruit 4,000 new teachers during the 2026/27 school year, alongside plans for a national assessment of students in grades three and six.
Access to education remains a major challenge in Somalia, where many families struggle to meet education-related costs. UNICEF says more than 3 million children in Somalia are out of school, with poverty, education costs, insecurity and limited access to schools among the barriers.
Public schools offering free education can provide an alternative for families unable to afford fees at private schools.
The Banaadir Education Directorate urged parents to make use of public school opportunities as enrolment for the new academic year gets underway.
The directorate, which oversees education services in Banaadir, has said its goal is to develop an education system that is accessible, inclusive and of good quality across the region.