Somalia's Banadir Region Bans Locking Students Out for Lateness

By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter

Somalia, 8 April 2026 ThevBanadir Region Education Directorate has issued a directive prohibiting the practice of locking out students who arrive late to educational institutions.

The decision follows consultations and comprehensive evaluations, allowing schools to implement their own procedures for managing tardiness, without interrupting the students' learning.

Banadir Region's Director of Education , Abdurahman Mohamed Ali, stated that the new policy aims to improve the education system and protect students' rights, adhering to the principle that students should not be deprived of their education without proper intervention.

"We have prohibited the practice of locking out students for tardiness," he said.

KeNHA Issues Vacation Notices to Some Traders Along Kangundo Road

Uganda Confirms Two More Ebola Cases as Infections Rise to Nine

In Somalia, it has been customary in schools to lock out students who arrive late, sending them back outside the school gate as a form of punishment, with the expectation that they miss classes for that day.

Parents are also encouraged to help students manage their time, to avoid tardiness, and to assist them in adhering to the new policy.

The decision is seen as a significant shift in how tardiness is managed, emphasizing the importance of education and ensuring that lateness or punishment does not hinder students' learning.