Pharo Secondary School, Sheikh

In September 2019, The Pharo Foundation began managing the Sheikh Secondary School a boarding school located in the Sahil Region of Somaliland.  The school is situated in the town of Sheikh between the port city of Berbera and Burcoa in the interior of Somaliland. It has a pleasant cool climate all year round due to its high altitude.

The school is renowned for its academic excellence and secure and caring environment in which children of all abilities can experience success and achieve their full potential within a broad and balanced curriculum. The aim is to prepare students to become respectful contributing members of the communities in which they live.  The school counts many prominent politicians and other key officials among its graduates.

The school facilities consist of 10 classrooms, science laboratories, library, assembly and lecture halls, the boys’ dormitories and girls’ hostel, the dining hall and a clinic. There are also staff rooms and administration offices.

The student enrolment is approximately 250 students, both boys and girls. Seventy students are admitted every year based on merit and entrance exam results. The school has qualified teachers from Somaliland, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Students come from all over the country; and all socio-economic backgrounds are represented. The tuition costs are significantly subsidised by the Foundation and some 35% of students receive further financial aid.

The school is currently following the Edexcel International curriculum; London University based IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), and the Somaliland National Curriculum.  Subjects offered are English, Somali, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography and Information Technology (IGCSE & Advanced).

In addition to the intensive academic curriculum, the school operates a broad extra-curricular and sports programme as well as community outreach activities.