420 Somali children resume education after AU renovates terror-hit school

The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Friday it has completed the renovation of a school destroyed in a bomb attack three years ago in Mogadishu, allowing more than 420 children to resume their education.

An attack on Dr. Qamar Primary School forced the children to abandon schooling, prompting AMISOM to undertake renovation works in late 2018 to ensure the students return to school.

“The renovation of the six-classroom block will facilitate access to education for hundreds of Somali children who were affected by the bombing and ensure they continue with their education,” Francisco Madeira, special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.

The school, established in 2009, was badly damaged in the suicide bomb attack, leading to its closure in 2016.

Madeira said the building and refurbishing of schools was part of a quick-impact projects program being undertaken by AMISOM to provide basic necessities to communities and also to help stabilize the country.

“In order to ensure the growing youthful population can make meaningful contributions rather than become a threat to the country, the government and the federal member states must ensure that children have access to education to help them prepare for the challenges of nation-building,” he said.