Qatar Fund For Development signs Memorandum of Understanding with Somalia’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education in support of Education Above All project to provide primary education to 57,000 out-of-school children

Doha, 30 November 2020 – Today, Qatar Fund For Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education of Somalia to support a local project by Education Above All (EAA) Foundation aimed at providing quality primary education to Somalian children.

The MoU also aims to provide alternative basic education to older children and retain them, empower teachers to use child-centred teaching practices, strengthen community education committees, and improve the project management capabilities of staff at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education. 

Representing the State of Qatar, His Excellency Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General of Qatar Fund For Development, signed the agreement along with His Excellency Mr Abdullahi Abukar Haji, Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

His Excellency Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Kuwari, Director General of Qatar Fund For Development, affirmed that this pledge comes as part of the State of Qatar’s commitment towards the government and people of Somalia, building on a number of current projects between the two countries, and covering several developmental areas in all states, including rehabilitating and developing infrastructure, stimulating the economy, creating jobs for youth, and empowering women. He also added that the State of Qatar would be keen to support the Somali Government in achieving its comprehensive national goals. 
'The State of Qatar is one of the biggest supporters of Somalia in various fields, and education and empowering Somali people to contribute to building and developing their country is very important to us”, he added.

His Excellency Mr Abdullahi Abukar Haji, Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education of the Federal Republic of Somalia, said: “We are grateful for the State of Qatar’s support to my country during the past years.” He also affirmed that the Qatari-Somali bilateral relations have always been strong and beneficial. His Excellency commended the support provided by the State of Qatar in various fields, especially in education. Mr Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, CEO of Education Above All, said: “We must remember that education is an integral part of human capital and development, as well as an engine for sustainable development. Let us work together to provide a better future for all by ensuring equality and inclusivity through providing quality education. The project will work with the aim of promoting the enrolment of children deprived of formal primary education in the Somalia's states of Puntland, Galmudug, Hershabil, Jubaland and south-western Somalia, and to ensure that nearly 57,600 out-of-school children have access to basic education, who were denied it as a result of their to instability, displacement and poverty.

Al-Sulaiti added: “We value the efforts of both partners and those who support us to find sustainable solutions to help create a safe environment for education and prosperity.'