Somali teachers protest termination of employment contracts

For the second day in a row, teachers from government schools gathered at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Somalia to protest against an order seeking to terminate their contracts.

The protest was reportedly sparked by a message from the Somali Ministry of Education, which indicated that the contracts would be terminated by August 31.

Despite the order, the teachers strongly opposed the termination of their services and demanded that their positions be made permanent.

They also described the ministry's statement as unfortunate and urged President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to intervene.

Furthermore, they also stressed the importance of stable employment in the education sector and called on the government to recognise their contributions.

Some of them, holding placards detailing their grievances, spoke to journalists in Mogadishu and urged their plight to be broadcast far and wide. 

"Is it fair to tell a teacher with 11 years of experience to just leave?" Read one of the placards.

The protesting teachers, though few, chanted, "We want justice, not oppression' and explained that they had been hired in 2015 by the Ministry of Education to fill teaching positions in government schools in Somalia, following a competitive examination.

A teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC Somali, "We received training and graduated from Mogadishu University. Afterwards, the ministry tested us and hired us."

The teachers also argued that they had worked under various challenging conditions, including periods of conflict and bombings, and were never deterred from doing their work.

Khadija Sheikh Abukar Maalin, a teacher at Ex-Karaan School, said that she began her teaching career in 1988 when the central government recruited her to teach in elementary and middle schools.

Khadija, who is also part of the committee representing the protesting teachers, said they had forwarded their grievances to the government but received no response.

"We went to the ministry and expressed our grievances. We were told, 'We don't want complaints or noise; leave the premises,'" recounted Khadija.

The teachers believe they have worked under difficult conditions and have significantly contributed to the education sector of Somalia despite the absence of a central government.

Khadija revealed that they had been told that the upcoming month would be the final one for receiving their salaries, much to their dismay.

"As national teachers who have struggled to educate children, being told to leave now and that our salaries will end on August 31 is unfair," Khadija told the BBC Somali.

The Ministry of Education, when contacted, initially stated they would issue a statement but later declined to comment.