Attacks on schools in Mogadishu are an unacceptable violation of children's rights and a breach of international treaties, conventions and Somali norms and values, aid agencies said.
"School premises must be respected as safe and protective environments for children and young people," Maulid Warfa, coordinator of the UN and NGO education cluster for Somalia, said in a 10 September statement.
"Education is fundamental to the rehabilitation of Somali children and the continuation of education and the safety of school-children must be priorities even during armed conflict and crisis."
The cluster comprises more than 20 agencies, including the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Educational Fund (UNESCO).
The statement followed the three-day closure of schools in Mogadishu last week, in protest against insecurity and attacks on students, teachers and educational institutions.
Abdulkadir Omar Roble, spokesman for the Education Fraternity, an umbrella organisation, which organised the protest, told IRIN on 11 September that his group welcomed the statement from the agencies.
"We welcome this statement but it should not be the only one," he said. "They should continue to speak up more often and more forcefully."
Roble said there was a campaign "to deliberately target the education system", adding that members of his group had on 10 September met Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein to discuss the attacks.
"He [the PM] was very concerned, assured us of his support and has promised to do everything he can to help us," said Roble.
He added that this week alone two teachers were killed in front of their schools. "This has got to stop."
The cluster appealed to traditional leaders, religious groups and other stakeholders to ensure the protection of children and teachers and the safety of school facilities.
"Schools must be violence-free zones," Warfa added. "We call on all parties to the conflict to ensure the unhindered and safe passage of school-children and teachers to education facilities."
After the collapse of Somalia's central government in 1991, schools and universities were destroyed as the city was torn apart by militia. But private schools have been gradually re-established over the past few years.
Meanwhile, violence continued in Mogadishu as Ethiopian and government troops battled insurgents on 10 September.
The fighting was concentrated in the Huriwa and Yaqshiid districts in the north, according to a local journalist. "It started around 11am local time and continued for two hours."
Hospital sources told IRIN that at least 10 people were killed and 24 injured in the fighting. "Those are the ones who made it to hospitals," he added.
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
