Date of publication:

08/21/2025

Somalia

Do domestic laws and policies provide access to secondary education for forcibly displaced and stateless persons?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

IDPs
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Stateless persons
Analysis

The Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland have enshrined the right to education within their respective legal and policy frameworks, including specific provisions aimed at supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee-returnees. Somalia’s Federal Education Act of 2017 formally recognizes education as a fundamental right and includes policy directives to ensure inclusion of displaced populations at all levels of the education system. Similarly, Somaliland’s Education Policy affirms the right to education for all, with explicit recognition of the needs of IDPs and returnees in accessing public education services. These legal instruments reflect a commitment to inclusive education and align with international obligations such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Global Compact on Refugees.

In both jurisdictions, these legal guarantees extend beyond primary education and lay the foundation for access to secondary education for forcibly displaced persons. National and regional education sector plans include strategies to expand access to secondary schooling through the construction of additional facilities, recruitment of qualified teachers, and integration of displaced learners into the formal education system. Although operational challenges persist in implementation, the legal and policy frameworks in Somalia and Somaliland clearly establish the right to education at all levels and underscore the inclusion of displaced populations in national development and human capital investment agendas.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Constitution of Somalia
    • Year: 2012
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2012/en/97615

    Legal provision

    Article 30 - Higher Education

    The State shall promote higher education, technical institutes, and technology and research institutions.

    General Education Act
    • Year: 2021
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Education

    Legal provision

    Section 1- Right to Education

    Education is a fundamental human right for every Somali citizen. The State shall ensure the provision of free primary education to all citizens.

    Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2022-2026)

    Legal provision

    Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2022-2026) - Generic

    Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP 2022-2026) - Generic

    Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland
    • Year: 2001
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2001/en/72769

    Legal provision

    Article 15.7 - Education, Youth and Sports

    The national policy is that primary education shall be free

    National Education Policy

    Legal provision

    National Education Policy

    NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY - Generic

    Somaliland National Education Act

    Legal provision

    Article 22 - Secondary Education

    1. Secondary education shall be four years. 2. Students completing Grade 8 shall be eligible for secondary education. 3. Secondary education shall focus on: Ethics, Science, and Mathematics Technical and Vocational Training Preparation for Tertiary Education

    Article 20 - Secondary Education (Second Level)

    Secondary education represents the second level of education. The government establishes national secondary schools in accordance with this Act.

    National Policy on Refugee-Returnees and internally Displaced Persons
    • Year: 2019
    • Type: Domestic policy
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/policy/strategy/natlegbod/2019/en/122553

    Legal provision

    Principle 6.1 - Right to an adequate standard of living

    All refugee-returnees and IDPs have the right, like any other citizen, to an adequate standard of living, and regardless of any circumstances and without discrimination they shall be provided with: a. essential food and potable water; b. basic shelter and housing; c. essential medical services and sanitation; d. basic education; and e. personal security.

    Somaliland IDP Policy Framework
    • Year: 2015
    • Type: Domestic policy
    • Rights Category: Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation

    Legal provision

    Section 5.6 - Education

    The Government, in collaboration with stakeholders, shall ensure inclusive and equitable access to education for internally displaced persons (IDPs) by: Deploying additional teaching staff to accommodate increased enrolment; Preventing discrimination based on clan, gender, social status, or other grounds; Expanding school sanitation facilities; Facilitating access to education for economically and socially marginalized groups; Providing free or subsidized education for displacement-affected children; Establishing non-formal and vocational education centers for youth and adults; Promoting IDP participation in education committees; Training teachers on positive discipline and child-centered approaches, and addressing psychosocial needs; Equipping service providers with child protection competencies; Integrating IDP children into local schools; Supporting vocational, life skills, and youth education programs; Promoting child-friendly school environments; Referring unaccompanied and separated children to appropriate social and family-based care; Removing barriers to education such as lack of materials, documentation, or accessibility challenges; Incorporating peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction, environmental awareness, HIV/AIDS, and human rights into the curriculum; Establishing referral systems to reintegrate out-of-school children; Prioritizing vulnerable groups, including girls and children with disabilities; and Ensuring women’s access to formal and vocational education.