Education on Hold: Galmudug Schools Shuttered Amidst Somalia’s Drought Woes. Mogadishu, Somalia — April 17, 2026 The specter of drought looms large over Galmudug State, Somalia, as schools across the region close their doors, leaving over 3,300 children without access to education. This development, reported by Radio Ergo, underscores the severe impact of the ongoing drought on the state’s educational infrastructure.
In rural areas of central Somalia, at least 33 primary and intermediate schools have been deserted due to the mass displacement of families, primarily from pastoralist backgrounds.
The exodus in search of water and pasture has emptied classrooms, with families like Mohamed Abdi Ahmed’s addressing the harsh reality of their children’s education being put on hold. “.
The drought affected us and forced the children out of school, “Ahmed lamented, reflecting the broader plight of many families in the region.
The absence of income — generating opportunities has left families like Ahmed’s struggling to meet their most basic needs. “We have no income, and it is very painful, “he said highlighting the multifaceted crisis that extends beyond the immediate educational impact. Zeynab Mohamed Abdi, another affected parent, fears for her children’s future. “.
Their lack of education worries me deeply, “she. “I can’t take them to town because I can’t afford the school fees or the cost of living there.”.
The situation is not confined to the families; the Galmudug state education ministry is addressing the disruption, with the director of planning, Bashi Duale, acknowledging the government’s inability to prevent the school closures. “Our plan was to bring education to remote communities, but drought has forced schools to close, “Duale stated.
The closure of schools in Galmudug State is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader national emergency declared by the Federal Government of Somalia, which estimates that nearly a quarter of the population, including over 1. 8 million children under five, are at risk of acute malnutrition.
As the drought continues to intensify, the international community is called upon to provide adequate support to mitigate the impact on the education and well — being of the affected children and families.
The closure of schools in Galmudug State serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the region and the urgent need for a coordinated response.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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By This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Radio Ergo
