The Influence of Bilingualism English and Somali on Medium
Instruction in Higher Secondary Schools in Borama and Hargiesa
District Somaliland
Mr. Abdiqani Ismail Ibrahim
Director of Department Research Commission for Higher Education
Received: 03 October 2025; Accepted: 09 October 2025; Published: 18 December 2025
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the challenges encountered by teachers and students in secondary schools in
Borama and Hargeisa districts of Somaliland, where English serves as the medium of instruction. It focused on
assessing the competencies of teachers and the essential abilities of students required for effective learning in an
English-based environment. The research adopted a cross-sectional design using quantitative methods and
employed survey techniques through self-administered structured questionnaires. Non-probability sampling
methods, including convenience and purposive sampling, were utilized to select 150 teachers and 458 students
as participants. The collected data underwent thorough analysis using Excel and SPSS software, emphasizing
descriptive statistics like frequency distributions to present the findings effectively. The findings of the study
indicated that male teachers outnumbered female teachers in secondary schools, and there was a similar trend of
more female students than male students. Most teachers possessed significant experience ranging from 11 to 21
years, and their educational qualifications were primarily at the university level, specializing in subject teaching
at the secondary level. However, concerns were raised regarding the necessity to address salary issues for
teachers. The study also observed instances where teachers alternated between Somali and English languages
during presentations, with consensus among both teachers and students. Additionally, students expressed a need
for supplementary materials in libraries to enhance their learning processes and homework, thereby improving
their English proficiency. Notably, students who predominantly used their mother tongue during the learning
process exhibited poorer performance in English.
INTRODUCTION
The National Commission for Higher Education (NCHE) is responsible for ensuring the quality of higher
education and promoting research carried out by the office and universities based for the long-term goal. Based
on this, the NCHE conducted a research project in some public secondary schools in two districts that are
Hargiesa and Borama the purpose of see the influence of English on the student of secondary level or English
used by the instructors/teachers on the students of secondary level. As well as the teaching method or the teacher's
presentation and the student's understanding during the learning process.
1.1 Brief History of Education in Somaliland
The spread of Islam and the Arabic language, along with the exposure of Somali traders, seamen, soldiers, and
religious pilgrims to various forms of education, meant that small settled communities on the coast were
introduced to a blend of Western and Islamic education long before European colonizers arrived in Somalia
(Cassanelli and Farah, 2007). However, for the majority of Somalis leading nomadic livelihoods, education
remained an informal community affair involving the interaction between elders and youth on subjects covering
clan history, religion, battle, and other knowledge and skills essential for survival (Abdi, 1998; Hussein, 2007).
In 1929, British officials attempted a new strategy by providing small grants to Somali sheikhs in selected private
Islamic schools under the condition that they teach reading, writing, arithmetic (in Arabic), and religion. The
government also funded young men to study at Gordon College in Sudan, with five Somalis enrolled in 1933.
By then, the Somaliland National Society, a local self-improvement association, had already begun advocating
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