Somalia to Add Swahili to School Curriculum in Push for East African Integration

Head of EAC and South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit (left) posts for a photo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud (left) following the signing of the EAC accession treaty. [Photo by presidency]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia is set to introduce the Swahili language, which is commonly used across the East African Community (EAC), in yet another move that could promote integration within the vast region.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced that the Somali language would be introduced into the national curriculum for schools, where it has been commonly used for education and other official functions for the last six decades.

As a lingua franca, Swahili is used in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, but countries like DR Congo, Burundi and Rwanda are also using it for communication. Besides Somali, Somalia uses English and Arabic as instructional languages..

President Mohamud urged Somali universities to take the lead in teaching and promoting the use of Swahili to strengthen regional unity and cooperation. Experts could be invited from neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania for instructional purposes.

“The Somali National University, along with all Somali universities, must take the lead in promoting Swahili — the common language of the East African region,” President Mohamud said.

Minister of Education Farah Sheikh Abdulkadir stated that the government is collaborating with regional institutions to develop a framework for introducing Swahili nationwide.

“We are working to enhance the study and use of the Swahili language in Somalia. We want to see Swahili become a language of communication, trade, and learning — even replacing English during our next conference,” he added.

The language is predominantly used in Jubaland along the Kenya-Somalia border. Kiswahili is also used as an official language in the African Union and the East African Community. Somalia joined EAC recently as a member after years of rigorous lobbying..

GAROWE ONLINE