Mogadishu, Somalia – A ceremony marking Somali Teachers’ Day is taking place at Mogadishu Stadium, with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, senior government officials, members of the education sector and large numbers of students in attendance.

As part of the event, a football match between two teams representing schools and universities was held to honour teachers and celebrate their contribution to the country’s development. Schools across the capital were given the day off to allow students and teachers to join the celebrations, and many students were seen at the stadium wearing their school uniforms. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to address the gathering with a keynote speech.

In his remarks, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that Somali teachers have made significant sacrifices and deserve national recognition. He referred to the Ministry of Education’s earlier plan to recruit 10,000 teachers for federal government–run schools, noting that only 6,000 are currently employed. The President instructed the ministry to expedite the recruitment of the remaining teachers and to ensure that schools are properly prepared for effective teaching and learning.

“Teachers and soldiers are the two true warriors of our nation. The Federal Government committed to hiring 10,000 teachers, and currently only 6,000 are working. I am directing the Ministry of Education to urgently complete the remaining recruitment and prepare the schools where these teachers will serve,” President Hassan Sheikh said.

The President also announced that the government is working on establishing a school meals programme so that students in public schools can receive lunch during the school day, helping create a healthier and more supportive learning environment.

“We are working so that schoolchildren have access to lunch while at school, enabling them to learn in a stable and positive environment,” he added.