Enhancing the Soft Skills of the somali youth: Strategies for a Brighter Future. By Mohamed Abdifatah Mohamoud | November 17, 2024
How Can We Improve the Soft Skills of our Young Students in Somalia?
1. Embedding Soft Skills in the Curriculum
One of the most effective ways to improve soft skills is by integrating them into the formal education system and the text books. Teachers can incorporate lessons on communication, teamwork, and critical thinking into traditional subjects i.e. science, history, geography and mathematics.
I haven’t got the chance to deeply review the contents of the curriculum of the primary and secondary schools in our country, but, I questioned some teachers and students and concluded there is no enough coverage of those skills in their curriculum.
The government and the schools should cooperate and embed the following activities in the curriculum
• Group Activities: Students can work on group projects in their day to day subjects such as science and history classes to foster collaboration and teamwork among them.
• Public Speaking Assignments: Regular presentations can enhance communication and confidence, every teacher should have public speaking session where he/she can train students how confidently present something.
• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Incorporating real-world problems into mathematics or social studies can help students develop critical thinking.
To implement this approach effectively, Somalia's Ministry of Education could provide training and resources for teachers to understand and teach soft skills alongside the standard curriculum.
2. Participating Extracurricular Activities
Most of the schools in the country teach the students not more than what is in the textbook, and there are no activities the students can participate to improve and develop their communication and soft skills that is the reason it is important to leverage Extracurricular activities, Extracurricular activities are a powerful tool for building soft skills in students. In Somalia, where schools may have limited resources, creative use of local resources can play a significant role. Activities such as:
• Debate Clubs: they help students to Encourage them to articulate their thoughts, alter arguments, and understand opposing views arguments.
• Sports Teams: helps Promote teamwork, discipline, and leadership abelites among students.
• Drama and Arts Programs: although traditionally we do not have common drama and art skills yet we can make use of the little we can have to help students express themselves, work collaboratively, and build emotional intelligence, so that they will easily express their emotions later in their adulthood.
Those above programs can be easily created by the schools, the ministry of education and NGOs.
3. Training Trainers, Teachers and Parents
Teachers and parents are the most predominant actors who shape the soft skills of young students. Often, Trainers, educators and Parents lack formal training in this area. To fill this gap, there are simple steps to be taken to overcome the challenge.
• Professional Training seminars for Trainers,Teachers and parents: the ministry of education and the local NGO’s should organize workshops and training sessions focused on fostering soft skills in the classroom and at home for the students. Teachers can learn techniques for encouraging collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving.
• Parenting Workshops: Educate parents about the importance of soft skills and how to model behaviours like active listening, patience, and conflict resolution at home.
Both groups should work together to create a consistent environment where students can practice and refine these skills.
4. Community-Based Learning Programs
Community-based initiatives can complement school efforts. Community leaders, elders, and the professionals especially those who are successful in the community have to organize:
• Skill-Building Workshops: Host events focusing on leadership, negotiation, or entrepreneurship.
• Mentorship Programs: Connect young students with role models in their communities who can guide them on developing essential soft skills.
These programs not only equip students with practical abilities but also help them understand the relevance of soft skills in real-life situations and will give them encouragement and motivation.
5. Embracing Technology and Digital Tools
While Somalia faces significant challenges in terms of infrastructure, but mobile and computer technology is increasingly and easily accessible anywhere around the country. Digital tools can be used to teach soft skills through:
• Online Courses: there are plenty of youtubers and social media influencers in Somalia, millions around the country watch them from their home, through their Platforms like YouTube, Facebook and TikTok can be used to enhance the awareness of the importance of soft skills in real life and in the work places
• Educational Apps and YouTube channels : Interactive games and apps designed for children can make learning soft skills engaging and fun. YouTube is also very powerful and free platform which can be used by the teachers to help the children and the students to overcome the challenges and obstacles facing them from the lack of communication and soft skills
• Virtual Mentorship: Using social media or video conferencing tools to connect students with mentors abroad.
Efforts should focus on expanding internet access and ensuring that digital content is available in Somali to reach a wider audience.
6. Build Positive School Environment
The environment in which students learn plays a significant role in shaping their soft skills. Schools can take steps to foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and open communication by:
• Mediation Programs: Teach students to resolve conflicts among themselves.
• Student Leadership Opportunities: Encourage students to take on leadership roles in clubs, councils, or school events and even in the school’s sports teams.
This approach helps students feel valued and respected, which is essential for developing empathy and social awareness later on their life.
7. Promoting Volunteerism and Community Engagement
Occasionally schools can help their students to engage them in volunteer activities inside and outside the school, this will help them to step out of their comfort zones and develop critical interpersonal skills. Activities such as:
• Community Clean-Up and sanitation Drives: Instil a sense of responsibility and teamwork in the school and in the commmunicty .
• Teaching or Tutoring Younger Students: Develops patience, communication, and leadership abilities.
• Assisting in Local Businesses or NGOs: Provides exposure to problem-solving in real-world scenarios such as in the hospitals and in the local government offices.
Volunteerism can also inspire students to give back to their communities, fostering a sense of purpose and social responsibility.
8. Addressing Gender Disparities
In many parts of Somalia, girls face additional barriers to education and skill development. Efforts to improve soft skills must address these challenges by:
• Empowering Girls Through Leadership Programs: Create safe spaces where girls can develop confidence and leadership skills, but they have to be under the Islamic guidelines otherwise it will create chaos and dispute among the community .
• Engaging Families: most of the Somali parents underestimate the capabilities of their daughters by always insisting them not to participate any social activities in or outside the schools. the families must support their daughters' participation in extracurricular and community activities.
• Promoting Female Role Models: teachers and parents have to narrate the successful stories of Somali female stars so that it can be helpful for the young Somali girls to cross the barriers of gender discrimination, there are plenty of Somali female heroes such as such as Hawa Abdi, Fartun Abdisaln Haji Adan and Asli Awale (the first female pilot in Africa).
When girls have equal opportunities to develop these skills, it benefits not only them but also their families and their children later on when they become mothers.
Conclusion
Improving the soft skills of young students in Somalia is a multifaceted challenge that requires collaboration among schools, families, communities, and policymakers. By embedding soft skills in the curriculum, Creating extracurricular activities, training Trainers, teachers and parents, and using technology, significant progress can be made. Community-based programs, a positive school environment, and a focus on inclusivity will ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop the interpersonal and life skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Investing in the soft skills of young Somali students is an investment in the nation's future—preparing a generation that is not only academically capable but also equipped to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their society.