Wednesday August 6, 2025
A woman walks past a school compound in Dhusamareeb, Somalia, where the Galmudug education ministry has introduced emotional learning programs aimed at helping children cope with the psychological impacts of prolonged conflict. (Getty Images)
Mogadishu (HOL) — In a small classroom in central Somalia, six-year-old students gather on the floor as their teacher opens a picture book to a drawing of a child sitting alone. “What do you think this child is feeling?” the teacher asks.
The question may seem simple, but it marks a powerful shift in how Somalia is rethinking its education system by teaching emotional intelligence alongside reading and arithmetic.
At Daryeel Academy in Dhusamareeb, a pilot program launched this year is training children to recognize and manage emotions in a country still grappling with the psychological toll of decades of civil war and displacement. It's the first time social and emotional learning (SEL) has been formally introduced in Somali schools.
“The students love it,” said Nusro Mohamed Hersi, one of the school’s lead teachers. “They’re more engaged in these lessons than in any other subject. We’ve seen real changes in their behaviour.”
The initiative is part of a partnership between the Galmudug state government and the UK-based nonprofit ThinkEqual, which provides teacher training and Somali-language materials focused on empathy, resilience, and social skills. The goal: to prepare children not just academically, but emotionally — a critical step in a country where violence has shaped multiple generations.
Somalia has endured more than three decades of conflict since the central government collapsed in 1991. The continued threat of violence, from clan conflicts to terrorist attacks by the extremist group al-Shabab, has left a deep psychological imprint on the population, particularly on children.
According to a 2024 study by the Peace Research Institute Oslo, more than 473 million children worldwide — nearly one in six — are growing up in active conflict zones. Somalia remains one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa.
“These children grow up watching death, destruction, and displacement,” said Siri Aas Rustad, the institute’s research director. “Many have no access to mental health services and no tools to process their trauma.”
A selection of Somali-language storybooks used in the emotional learning curriculum for primary students at Daryeel Academy in Dhusamareeb. The program teaches children how to recognize emotions and build social skills. (ThinkEqual)
The vacuum has left many vulnerable to recruitment by groups like al-Shabab, which exploit disillusioned youth by offering structure, identity, and financial incentives in the absence of meaningful alternatives. Most recruits, experts say, have never attended school and lack hope for the future.
In Somalia’s fragile education system, emotional learning is a necessity. Teachers at Daryeel Academy use interactive books and group activities to help children explore emotions like fear, anger, and compassion. They’re also taught how to de-escalate conflict and support peers.
“I had one student who would lash out and isolate himself,” said teacher Hersi. “Now he’s calmer, more connected, and social. These lessons are making a real difference.”
The program mirrors similar efforts in other post-conflict countries. In Colombia, where civil war raged for decades, schools that implemented SEL saw measurable improvements in students’ behaviour and social engagement.
Dr. Robin Stern, co-founder of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, said such programs offer more than just soft skills — they provide “the building blocks of peace.”
“When children learn how to name and regulate their emotions, it reduces aggression and helps rebuild trust in fractured communities,” she said.
The program initially faced resistance from some Somali parents who viewed emotional education as foreign or unnecessary.
“At first, some families didn’t understand the purpose,” said Mohamed Dhoore, Galmudug’s Minister of Education. “But when they saw the change in their children, their attitudes shifted.”Dhoore played a key role in bringing the initiative to life after teachers across the region reported rising anxiety and behavioural issues among students. Now, he’s pushing for the curriculum to expand nationally.
“This is about healing a nation. If we want a peaceful Somalia, we must start by teaching our children how to cope with pain, express empathy, and build relationships,” he said.
Inside the classroom, the youngest advocates are the students themselves.
“I like the stories,” said a seven-year-old boy, his voice shy but clear. “They help me understand feelings. Now I can talk to my parents more easily.”
- With files from the BBC Somali Service
Mohamed Dhoore, Galmudug’s Minister of Education, has championed the integration of social and emotional learning into classrooms to address rising behavioral and mental health challenges among students. (SUPPLIED)