SOMALIA: Schoolteachers arrested for ‘al-Shabab meetings’

Somali authorities have arrested seven head teachers who they accuse of meeting al-Shabab militants. They are said to have discussed changing the curriculum at private schools to favour the Islamist group’s ideology. Each of the principals is responsible for around 1,000 students, ranging in age from seven to 15. Mahad Hassan Osman, the information minister […]

Somali authorities have arrested seven head teachers who they accuse of meeting al-Shabab militants.

They are said to have discussed changing the curriculum at private schools to favour the Islamist group’s ideology.

Each of the principals is responsible for around 1,000 students, ranging in age from seven to 15.

Mahad Hassan Osman, the information minister for the central Hir-Shabelle region, said that the teachers had been intercepted and arrested near the town of Jowhar.

“We arrested them 15km outside the town.”

The minister has said the teachers will be taken to court once an investigation has taken place.