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Terms of Reference

Joint Review of the Education Sector (JRES) and National Education Conference (NEC) 2025

Introduction

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE) of the Federal Government of Somalia is committed to strengthening the performance, accountability, and inclusiveness of the national education system. To enhance sector coherence and optimize the use of resources, MOECHE is organizing a unified review process that brings together three major national events:

1. Tracking the results achieved against the expectations laid out in the National Education Conference (NEC) Communiqué and Action Plan. The second NEC was convened in Mogadishu from March 13 - 17, 2023, bringing together approximately 450 diverse stakeholders including senior government representatives, donors, international organizations, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Somali educationists. The conference culminated in the adoption of a communiqué that outlined key commitments and an action plan aimed at strengthening the quality, inclusivity and effectiveness of education service delivery in Somalia.

2. Joint Review of the Education Sector (JRES): MOECHE-led, participatory mechanism for monitoring and reviewing progress in implementing the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2022–2026. The JRES provides an evidence-based platform for federal and state education authorities, development partners, and civil society to jointly assess sector performance, financing, and policy implementation. Conducted annually, it serves as a key coordination and accountability mechanism to inform decision-making, update action plans, and align partner support with national education priorities.

3. Midterm Review of the Somalia Partnership Compact. As part of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) system transformation commitments, this Midterm Review (MTR) of the Somali Partnership Compact (2023-2026) will assess progress against the expected achievement of the agreed reform priorities and enabling factors outlined in the Compact. The review will examine the extent to which government and partners have advanced the Compact’s commitments to improve access, quality, equity, and system strengthening within the framework of the ESSP 2022–2026. It will also promote mutual accountability between the government and education development partners and identify priority areas for continued GPE support.

The National Education Performance Review (NEPR) scheduled for February 2026, will serve as a comprehensive platform to assess the progress, challenges, and opportunities within Somalia’s education sector. It is under this background that this ToR focuses on the JRES, serving as a technical exercise to assess sector performance and generate evidence that will feed into the consolidated NEPR 

Background

Somalia’s education sector is undergoing a significant phase of reform guided by the ESSP 2022–2026, which provides a unified framework for improving access, equity, quality, and system governance. The ESSP, developed through extensive consultation with federal and state ministries, outlines national priorities for early childhood, basic, secondary, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), higher education, and institutional strengthening. It also aligns with national commitments under the Ninth National Development Plan (NDP-9) and the Education Act (2021), positioning education as a driver of human capital development, social inclusion, and national stability.

In recent years, the MOECHE has achieved notable milestones, including the rollout of a national curriculum for grades one to twelve, the reintroduction of national examinations, the expansion of free primary education in selected regions, and the establishment of a decentralized Education Management Information System (EMIS). The Ministry has also strengthened collaboration with federal member states to harmonize teacher management, examinations, and data systems. These advances mark steady progress toward rebuilding a unified and inclusive education system after years of fragmentation.

Despite these achievements, the education sector continues to face deep-rooted challenges. Access remains unequal, particularly for rural communities, displaced populations, and girls. Early childhood education is underdeveloped, and learning outcomes across all levels remain low, especially in literacy, numeracy, and science. Teacher qualifications and support structures are uneven, while technical and vocational education and training, though increasingly prioritized to address youth employment and skills gaps, remains underfunded, fragmented, and poorly aligned with labor market needs. Governance and coordination weaknesses persist, domestic financing remains limited and heavily dependent on external assistance, and data systems continue to face reliability and utilization gaps that constrain evidence-based planning and accountability.

To respond to these systemic challenges, the Government of Somalia, with support from the GPE and other development partners, adopted a systems transformation approach under the Somalia Partnership Compact (2023–2026). The Compact sets out a shared vision for strengthening education delivery through improved access, equity, foundational learning, and institutional capacity. It promotes alignment of partner support behind national priorities, reinforces mutual accountability, and designates the JRES as the primary mechanism for monitoring and assessing progress against the ESSP and Compact targets.

To address these challenges, MOECHE and partners established mechanisms such as the JRES, NEC, and Education Sector Committee (ESC) to support continuous monitoring and joint learning. The JRES provides an opportunity to assess sector performance against ESSP targets, while the NEC fosters national dialogue on education priorities and policy directions.

In line with the GPE systems transformation approach, the 2025 JRES and NEC will review achievements, identify bottlenecks, and consolidate lessons to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education service delivery. The review will also capture new policy developments such as the introduction of capitation grants and ongoing capacity strengthening programs.

Skills Required

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