A Concise Report on FPENS Activities 1999  –  2016

Introduction

The Formal Private Education Network in Somalia (FPENS) has been making a lot of effort to restore the educational system since the collapse of the central government in Somalia. It was ousted by armed militias in December , 1990 when the civil war broke out in Mogadishu , the capital in 1990.

FPENS was officially established in 1999 by 14 associations/foundations involved in education  in Somalia to respond to increased need for quality education. It was founded when the young generation were in urgent for education, joining to armed groups /militias who used to commit crimes , such as robbery , torture and destruction.

At present, FPENS is the largest education umbrella /institution in Somalia . Working throughout Somalia(South- Central , Somaliland  and Puntland) , FPENS member associations / foundations are more than a hundred education associations / foundations.

So  far , tens of thousands of students have completed/ graduated from the secondary schools run by FPENS. Hundreds of them joined to local or external universities in various specializations . Moreover, in  cooperation  with other institutions involved in education, were provided free scholarships inside and outside Somalia.

It is worth mentioning that FPENS founded  in 2002 the Benadir Teacher Training Institute (BTTI) in Mogadishu  in order to produce well-trained teachers who can play a prominent role in education at primary and secondary schools.

In conclusion , instead of offering all achievements and different activities of FPENS , we would like to summarize and offer as  a sample , a report on FPENS  activities of the past academic years (1999-2016).

1. Needs for FPENS Establishment

2. Lack of unified and clarified educational philosophy

3. Absence of a proper/appropriate plan

4. Various educational curricula in the schools

5. Shortage / scarcity of tools , textbooks and teacher guides

6. In adequacy of qualified and trained teachers for the tasks they perform

7. Improper school buildings as educational places (most of them)

8. Lack of centralized examination

9. Absence of accuracy monitoring and supervision system for the institutions involved in education

10. Weakness in the coordination and cooperation on the educational efforts of the schools

11. Lack of unified certificates recognized by the concerned other educational sides

FPENS Vision

FPENS has a vision of getting a community safe and free from community diseases socially , morally and spiritually.

FPENS Mission

FPENS mission is to provide high quality education to the Somali Community.

FPENS Objectives

1. To contribute to building the Somali community highly developed in the field of education

2. To endeaver to get a unified and modernized / advanced curriculum

3. To make the young generation firmly related to the Islamic Religion and create patriotism in their souls through education

4. To get certificates of FPENS equivalent to those in the other countries

5. To build/develop capacity of the management and teachers

6. To spread the principles : peace , culture , harmony , cooperation , productive work and environment protection

7. To increase student abilities physically , mentally , morally and culturally

FPENS Administrative Structure

1. General Assembly (according to the situation in Somalia at present – federalism)

2. Board of Directors (unified)

3. Executive Committee

FPENS Achievements

1. Unification of the private sector educational efforts in Somalia , following the collapse of the central government in 1991 and absence of its role

2. Unification of the contents and syllabuses of FPENS schools

3. Issue of an internationally recognized certificate

4. Salvation of thousands of the young generation from joining to armed militias

5. Preparation of an educational schedule for FPENS schools

6. Establishment of a teacher training institute in Mogadishu

7. Taking an active part in the country leadership through producing well-educated students from FPENS schools

The Schedule Written below Shows Number of Teachers and Students of FPENS

Provision of Job Opportunities to the Teachers and Others

Contribution to Writing a National Curriculum , Education Policy and Educational Regulation for Somalia.

Taking part in Somali National Curriculum , education policy  and educational regulation/ bylaw under supervision of the Ministry of Education during conflict period in Somalia encouraged establishment of Local Universities.

Because FPENS is the largest education umbrella in Somalia, most students at  the Local Universities (90%) are those who have completed primary and secondary education at the schools run by FPENS.

Scholarship

1. Primary and Secondary Education

Moreover, FPENS established :

• Benadir Teacher Training Institute (BTTI)

• Somali Research and Training Center

Membership /Partnership

FPENS is an active partner or member of the following institutions :

• UNDP

• UNESCO

• UNICEF

• Care International

• International University of Africa(IUA)

• Mubarak Gismalla Institute for Research and Training

• Education Sector Committee (ESC)

• Islamic Development Bank (IDB)

• Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

• National Examination Committee of the Ministry of Education

• Private Sector Education Office of the Ministry of Education

• National Education Plan Committee