You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Somalia with fee information. The list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools for you to find the right school to prepare for the International Baccalaureate and other accreditation in Somalia. Some schools may follow the American curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the British language and system.

Education in Somalia

The educational system in Somalia comprises:

• Two years of Early Childhood Development (ECD),
• Eight years of primary education: Four years of lower primary and four years of upper primary.
• The first 4 years of primary education feature 9 compulsory subjects taught in Somali. From grade 2, English is a second language subject.
• Four years of secondary education, between the ages of 15–18, that leads to a Secondary School Certificate Examination (PSCE)
• University education comprises an average of four years

Somalia also recognizes non-formal and technical and vocational education as integral parts of the region's educational system.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Somalia. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools may follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, etc. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Schools also provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrolment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

Accreditation & Membership

• The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools.
• European Council of International Schools (ECIS) is a collaborative network promoting the ideals and best practice of international education, complemented by grants and awards.
• Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is a responsive organisation that serves, supports and represents its member schools.
• New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) is a regional accrediting association which establishes standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to doctoral.
• Agency for French Education Abroad (Agence pour l'enseignement français à l'étranger, AEFE) is a national public agency under the administration of the French government that assures the quality of schools teaching the French national curriculum outside France.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) represents over 1100 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad.

International schools in Mogadishu

Daarusalaam International Academic School (DIAS).
Darusalaam City, Yaaqshiid, Benaadir
Mogadishu – Somalia
Tel: + 252 6167 83777
Email: registrar_wss@diasmog.com
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

DIAS Mogadishu offers the national curriculum of Britain, which is recognized as one of the gold standards in learning and teaching. In the secondary school years, students will prepare to write IGCSE exams. The exam is usually written in year 11. Upon successful completion of the IGCSE exam, students who wish to continue to further their educational experiences can take A-level certification. This certification will lead straight to university.

International schools in Hargeysa

British International College
Hero Awr Road (next to Africa Greenhouse), Hargeisa, Somalia
Tel: +252 6361 55557
Email: Admin@britishintcollege.com
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

The British International College offers its pupils a vibrant and challenging learning environment, and a distinctive British independent school ethos which reflects both the Islamic values and dynamic culture of Hargeisa and Somaliland. It is a leading British-curriculum school in Somaliland, and currently educates children across the 5 to 18 age range. This is complemented by the local Somaliland curriculum, in which Arabic, Islamic and Somali are taught, but with an international twist to ensure our international meet national objectives.