SOS Sheikh Secondary School

The SOS Hermann Gmeiner Sheikh Secondary School is situated near the town of Sheikh in a remote part of the country Somaliland, and a three-hour drive from the country's capital, Hargeisa. The once-renowned boarding school was established in British Somaliland and at independence was considered one of the top schools in the country. Its the birth-place of one of Somalia's National Anthems, the song Soomaaliyeey toosoo was composed by the teachers of Sheikh Secondary School.[1] The school accepted a mere 50 students each year for the 31 years (1958–89) before it was destroyed by the Siad Barre regime, admitting 1,550 people over three decades.[2] It was mostly destroyed in fighting in 1989, and had fallen into further disrepair during the Somali civil war.[3][4]

SOS Hermann Gmeiner Sheikh Secondary School
Location
Sheikh

Somaliland
Information
Websitehttp://www.soshgsheikh.com/

In September 2002, Dick and Enid Eyeington moved to Somaliland to take on the restoration and running of this derelict boarding school. Following years of closure, the SOS Sheikh Secondary School reopened in January 2003 to its first 53 pupils, 45 boys and 8 girls. Another 50 pupils arrived in September 2003.[5]

In October 2003 the Eyeingtons were murdered by Somali gunmen of Al-Itihaad. The school has since reopened and continues to work to improve the lot of Somali children.

The first Somali principal of the school after the British was Ghalib Musa Afi. This school is currently double curriculum, Somaliland curriculum and IGCSE curriculum. Current school principal is Mr. Adam Muse who tirelessly works with the Students.

History

Sheikh School offered free tuition based on a British curriculum to the limited number of students admitted to the establishment solely on merit.[2] As a result, the privately funded school attracted the highest male achievers in Somaliland who would go on to become the future leaders of the country.[2] Although, a selective school that offered entry on the basis of students’ exam marks, Richard Darlington who served as headmaster (mid-1950s–1971) ensured that the student body should be inclusive of Somaliland communities (although only their male members).[2]

Alumni

See also

References
  1. Hsinhua Weekly - Issues 26-52 - Page 21: "to declare independence we young teachers of the Sheikh Secondary School composed the song “Wake Up Somalia"
  2. Phillips, Sarah G. (2016). "When less was more: external assistance and the political settlement in Somaliland". International Affairs. 92 (3): 629–645. doi:10.1111/1468-2346.12601. ISSN 1468-2346.
  3. "Somaliland- SOS Sheikh Secondary School Entry Examination 2018". Somaliland Sun. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  4. "Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh". The Pharo Foundation. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  5. Laville, Sandra (22 October 2003). "British aid couple killed at Somali school". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 September 2014.


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