 |
The war has never undermined the yen of Somali pupils for learning
|
MOGADISHU — Bloody conflicts, instability and chaos have failed to break the yen of Somali children for learning or undermine their unflagging determination to be future peacemakers and rebuild their war-ravaged country.
"I hope to go to the university," 15-year-old Ibrahim told Agence France-Presse (AFP) Friday, May 11.
"I want to become an engineer in computer sciences."
His friend Hussein has another dream.
"I want to become a surgeon, I want to save people," said the 15-year-old student, who was born one year after the start of a bloody civil war that is still raging.
At the Hamar boarding school in Mogadishu, one of private schools in the capital, boys and girls still on benches at wooden desks in classrooms surrounding a leafy courtyard.
The pupils are listening attentively to teachers at blackboards giving lessons in Somali, English, Arabic, math and sciences.
"Put down the gun, take up the pen" is the motto of the school, which has nearly 2,300 pupils.
The school doggedly reopened despite heavy fighting in the capital in recent weeks, which killed hundreds and forced tens of thousands to flee.
Mogadishu has plunged into an abyss with daily shooting and fighting since government-backed Ethiopian troops routed the Supreme Islamic Courts of Somali in a two-week war.
The country has been marred by chaos, on-and-off conflicts since the ouster of president Mohamed Siad Berre in 1991.
During a brief six-month rule last summer, the Courts reunited powerful clans which long controlled the capital and brought long-awaited stability to the country.
Chatham House, a leading independent British think-tank, has strongly criticized in a report last month the Court's ouster, expecting them to emerge from the aches.
Peacemakers
Somali children are also dreaming to play future peacemakers and help stabilize a bleeding country.
In the past, many students were dreaming to be fighters and take up arms to fight rival clans.
But 16 years on, the tone has changed among young Somalis.
When asked if they would consider taking up arms, the pupils were clear.
"No, no, not a soldier," Hussein cried, echoing similar opinions held by his classmates.
"Fighting is very bad. There is not enough education," he added.
Drop-outs
However, the spiraling violence and insecurity in Mogadishu has forced several students to drop out.
Teachers estimate that about a third of Mogadishu children do not go to school.
"In the Hamar school, only 700 of the enrolled 2,300 pupils have returned to the Hamar school," after the stop of the latest bout of violence, said headmaster Mohamed Hassan Aden.
Though they might be a meager sum of money for many around the world, school fees are also a stumbling bloc to many families living below the poverty line.
At Hamar, for instance, boarders pay 40 dollars (30 euros) per month while day pupils pay 10 dollars — which teachers admit are beyond the reach of many.
"According to our situation, 10 dollars is too high," said Aden, a former maths and science instructor.
|
