The leaders of Al-Shabab militia group in Kismayo today met with some of the teachers of Kismayo schools to discuss the teaching curriculum and other school policies. Over 80 teachers attended the meeting.| Thus far it sounds like a normal school district planning session. Then it gets... odd. |
Al-Shabab's head of education department in Kismayo Abdinasir Abdala Al-Feisal criticized the teachers for using statements that undermine jihad as school mottos especially the private ones. Al-Feisal said that some of the schools had statements like: "Drop the gun and take the pen" as their mottos which he said discourages school graduates from becoming jihadists.
Al-Feisal said that the Somali youth can continue carry the guns and still study and therefore should not be discouraged to fight. The criticism of Al-Shabab's Kismayo militia to the local teachers comes at a time when the schools in Kismayo are re-opening.