MOGADISHU( Halbeeg News)- The ministry of education of federal government of Somalia is planning to take over government schools in regional states in a bid to improve the quality of education.

The minister of education of federal government, Abdullahi Godah Barre told the local media that there are ongoing talks with federal member states based on how the leaders would facilitate the takeover of the schools by the ministry.

“It is an important [step] as it is the first time since the collapse of the central government for Somali government to take over it is responsibility. It is the obligation of Somali government to run and administer schools” said the minister.

The minister did not announce the time when the ministry will take over these schools that were under the management of private sector for more two decades when the central government led by Mohamed Siad Barre was overthrown.

The sentiments of the minister comes a month after the ministry has nationalized 24 schools in Mogadishu which comprise of 401 classes, 4813 students, 58 head teachers and 713 teachers.

Speaking at a ceremony where the nationalized schools was launched, the president of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said his government is committed to provide a free quality education to all Somali children especially those that hail from poor backgrounds.

The government has also pledged to pay the salaries of teachers of all the schools dating from the time it was nationalized.

The government has also distributed books and curriculum prepared by the ministry to the above schools adding the students will sit for unified national examinations at the end of the academic year.

Immediately after the collapse of the central government in 1991 most of the schools run by the government came under the control of private institutions as private sector played an instrumental role in providing social services including education and health.