By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
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MOGADISHU, 3 November 2026 — Constant movement of nomadic communities in search of water and pasture has made access to continuous education difficult for many children, highlighting need for learning systems that accommodate their way of life.
An international conference is underway in Mogadishu to address challenge, hosted by Somalia's Capital University in partnership with three universities from Nigeria, Kenya and Namibia.
Running from 3 to 5 November, conference focuses on nomadic education and alternative education systems in Africa, exploring approaches that can expand access to quality education for children in mobile communities.
Capital University President Ahmed Arabow said many children from pastoralist families in several parts of Somalia lack access to educational opportunities, underscoring scale of challenge.
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"In many parts of the country, children from pastoralist communities do not have access to education," Arabow said.
Participants are also examining barriers facing children in remote areas, particularly those whose families depend on seasonal migration, and exploring flexible learning models that can accommodate their living conditions.
Conference is expected to provide platform for sharing experiences, innovative ideas and practical solutions to expand educational opportunities, while strengthening cooperation among universities, governments and education institutions.
Efforts to develop alternative learning approaches are seen as important step towards narrowing education gap between children in urban areas and those in nomadic communities, ensuring geographical and lifestyle barriers do not deny them their right to education.