GAROWE, Somalia Oct 18 (Garowe Online) - The first group of teachers has graduated from Somalia's self-governing State of Puntland, marking the first time teachers have completed State's education college since 1998, Radio Garowe reports.

A graduation ceremony was held on Saturday at the compound of the Garowe Teachers' Education College (GTEC), which is located in the Puntland capital, Garowe.

The well-organized ceremony was attended by more than 1,000 people, including Puntland Education Minister Mr. Abdi Farah "Juha," GTEC Director Dr. Ahmed Shole, representatives from the United Nations and Diakonia aid agency, traditional elders, Islamic scholars, journalists and members of civil society.

Dr. Shole offered a brief history of GTEC, Puntland's only education institute, and described the graduating class of 72 certified teachers as the first class of GTEC graduates.

"They have completed three years of teacher-training," Dr. Shole added, while thanking Diakonia aid agency for supporting GTEC.

Education Minister Juha told the gathering that the graduating class is "an opportunity and a victory" for the people of Puntland if 72 teachers have completed the education program inside the country.

"This accomplishment is a testament to Puntland's aspiration to develop through education," said the Minister, who encouraged the new graduates to use their education to assist new generations of Somali students in order to "reach a level of self-sufficiency."

Puntland's education minister praised GTEC as an educational institute committed to helping the State reach its development goals.

Suldan Mohamed Said Garase, a Garowe traditional elder, concluded with a brief statement full of praise and prayer, while calling on the new graduates to help "erase ignorance" through education.

Puntland's Ministry of Education plans to hire the 72 new graduates to work as teachers in the different regions, including rural towns, officials said.

Source: Garowe Online