Last Change:

04/08/2025

Somaliland National Education Act

Year: 2018

Type: Domestic law

Rights Category: Education

Link to external source: https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/108743/SOM108743%20som.pdf
Description

The Somaliland National Education Act (Xeer Lr. 77/2018) regulates the education system, ensuring free and compulsory primary education, Islamic teachings, Somali as the primary language, and standardized curricula. It establishes the National Examination Board, sets teacher qualifications, and oversees private, vocational, and higher education under the Ministry of Education.

Selected provisions
Section 14.1- Primary Education (Grade 1 - Grade 8)

Primary education shall be compulsory and free.

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

Section 27- Higher Education Institutions

The government shall accredit and regulate public and private universities.
Private universities shall be autonomous but must comply with national education standards.
Higher education institutions must be registered under the Higher Education Act.

Section 7 - Educational Categories

Education in Somaliland shall consist of:
1. Formal Education, including:
Quranic and Early Childhood Education
Primary Education
Secondary Education
Tertiary Education

Section 18 - Language of Instruction

Primary education shall be conducted in Somali.
English shall be introduced at the secondary level.
Private schools using a foreign language must include Somali as a compulsory subject.

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.