1. H U R I Y O M U H U D I N , M A D I N A H U S S E I N , A N D
F A D U M O I B R A H I M
Culture Exchange
Somalia
2. Objectives
Learn about the school and home culture of
Somalia
Discuss the experience of families living in
the US as immigrants
Discuss what we can do to better serve our
EL and NELB Families.
3. Geography and Population
• Population of 10 million (many more
Somalis in surrounding countries)
• Bordered by Ethiopia
and Kenya
4. Current Situation
Since the Civil War began in the late 80’s and early
90’s, there has been very little infrastructure in
Somalia.
Right now there is no highway system, no public
schools, etc…
A new Government is trying to improve the
conditions in the country, but it is a huge struggle
5. Basic Information
Northern Somalia was originally colonized by the
British. It is largely desert, and is slightly more
developed and has an economy based on business.
Southern Somalia was originally colonized by Italy.
It is less developed and is based more on agriculture.
Mogadishu
6. Family Structure
Family is very important, and extended families stick
together. They live very close to each other, and often in
the same home.
Once women are married, they usually move out to start
their own home, but men stay in the family home even after
marriage.
In most situations, the men work and the women raise the
children and take care of the home. In wealthier
families, the women may work and the family will hire a
nanny/maid, or rely on family members to help with the
children.
7. General School Information
Attendance is not mandatory
Only big cities had public schools (now there are no
public schools)
Six hours a day (7 AM – 1 PM)
No Kindergarten
Students sometimes start at different ages, but they
always start as 1st graders
40 students in one class
Structured as Elementary, Middle, and High School
(4 years each)
8. General School Information
No transportation
No school lunch, but you can buy snacks
No libraries in schools, but the cities have public libraries
They give you textbooks, but they stay at school
Very teacher centered—all direct instruction
Students stay in their own class, and the teacher rotates
to the different classes
Responsibility of the school to discipline the child.
No homework is ever given in Somalia.
Only involved in school when situations are very serious.
9. MNPS Students
Very few (approximately 5%-10%) of the students we
serve have ever lived in Somalia.
Approximately 50% were born in the U.S.
Other students lived in Refugee camps and cities (in
a few cases) in either Kenya or Ethiopia.
Dadaab Refugee Camp
10. Special Education/Student Services
Any student with any type of special need or learning
delay does not attend school
Report cards issued twice a year
Students are retained if they fail a class—it doesn’t
matter how old they are.
11. Bantu Somalis
Bantu tribe is from the South, and has a history of
being an overlooked ethnic minority.
There are many Bantu Somalis who live in Nashville
and whose children attend MNPS schools.
There are differences in how these families approach
school and culture.
13. Quick Language Lesson
Hello A salam alaikum
How are you? Saay ta hi
Good Ve ahn
My name is ___________ Maga iego ___________
Thank you Mahad sanid
Welcome So da who
Nice to meet Bara show wan axint
