Ethiopia's Somali Region to Launch 23 Vocational Subjects in Secondary Schools

Jigjiga, 5 September 2026 Ethiopia's Somali Region is preparing to introduce 23 vocational subjects in secondary schools to equip students with practical skills and improve employment prospects. The program will be offered to Grade 11 and Grade 12 students, who will select a vocational subject as part of their four-semester studies, Ugaas Fu'aad Ugaas Aafi, director of curriculum development, research and evaluation at the Somali Regional State Education Bureau, said Friday. Twelve skill-based subjects were prepared last year, while 11 additional subjects were developed this year, bringing the total to 23, Aafi said. The vocational subjects include woodwork technology, finishing construction works, web design and development, computer maintenance and networking, animal production, natural resource management, community health care, journalism, psychosocial caregiving, accounting and finance, marketing and sales management, and vocal performance.