About

Bardera Poltechnic, Af Soomaali: Kulliyada Farsamada Baardheere, Arabic: ( كلية لعلوم التطبيقية بارطيرآ) is a college offering comprehensive programs in the city of Bardera in Gedo region of Somalia.

Bardera Polytechnic was in the plans for several years until there was a meeting in 2006 in Bardera to discuss about setting up the first vocational school in southern Somalia  during these post civil war years.

Community elders, teachers groups, parents, area business leaders accepted a proposal from Zaila Sheikh Diini, the founder, to initiate the first phase development activities including renting out buildings for offices and classrooms. The college aims to train thousands in the agricultural and livestock rich three Juba Valley Regions.

2007 was the first full year for community awareness campaigns after selecting appropriate buildings for office and classroom uses in the centre of the city of Bardera. Intensive language courses, mathematics, community health programs, agriculture, animal husbandry and basic apprenticeship programs were offered in the first year of operations commending .

Since founding year 2008, more than 3,200 students took part in various credit and non-credit programs throught May 2012. First success came when first the ever Community Health Workers (CHW) training program graduates found jobs upon graduation in August 2009. SADO, area active NGO employed 9 young ladies who graduated from this program.

Many programs were achieved in phase I and II concluding in 2010. Now, Bardera Polytechnic offers more than dozen programs including basic adult literacy to computer and business studies and various health programs.

Adult literacy program has introduced over 260 parents to the sweetness for the ability to read and write. The parents in turn see the value of educating their children. Before, the $40 per semester fees for their children was seen as a burden but now they see it as a privilege rather than a burden. These fees are only enough to cover the exorbitant electricity charges, water and cleaning. Instructors have been volunteering their time so far.

Phase III  implemented programs during early 2012  focused on academic programs which cater to agro-business and veterinary sciences as they both are vital economic engines of the Juba Valley Region.