The Inseparable brothers: Ayub and Bilal’s journey through learning in Baidoa
A simple path to learning, two brothers and the power of Teaching at the Right Level
In Jitka Sodonka, a neighborhood in Baidoa, two young boys walk side by side every morning, always together, always smiling. Ayub Hassan, 12, and his younger brother Bilal, 11, are known not just for their matching outfits but also for their inseparable bond and shared love for learning.
The two brothers attend Al Camaar School, a temporary learning centre supported by UNICEF and run by its local partner, the Bay Regional Education Committee (BREC). Unlike many of their classmates who have been displaced by conflict or drought, Ayub and Bilal are from the host community. But in a place where schools are few and far between, learning to read and write is still a big achievement for them.
“We come to school together and go home together,” says 12-year-old Ayub proudly. “I like coming to school and working in groups. It is fun and helps me learn new things. My little brother Bilal is still learning. He likes to joke and is a bit shy, but he is really good at English, better than me!”
Since enrolling at Al Camaar School in 2024, Ayub and Bilal have made incredible progress, thanks to a new approach to learning that is a game changer for thousands of Somali children.
Al Camaar is one of 13 schools in Baidoa that piloted Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), an innovative program supported by UNICEF, regional education authorities, and partners, with funding from Finlnad, the Government of Japan and the German Federal Foreign Office. Designed to improve foundational literacy and numeracy among children aged 8 to 17 years, the TaRL model assesses students based on their actual learning levels, not age or grade.
This has been especially important in communities where years of displacement and conflict have disrupted education for thousands of children.
“When Ayub and Bilal first joined, they were shy and quiet,” recalls Shamsa, one of their teachers. “But with the Teaching at the Right Level approach, we tailored lessons to where they were, and now they are more confident and active in class. They have come a long way.”
Ayub thrives in group work and is quick to take on leadership roles, while Bilal, though reserved, has shown a sharp grasp of English and literacy skills. Their progress is not only a testament to their determination, but also a reflection of what happens when teaching adapts to the individual needs of the learner.
The TaRL pilot, implemented during the 2023–2024 academic year, has reached 23,053 children across Somalia, including 10,696 girls and 527 children with disability. In Baidoa, 2,213 children, among them 29 children with disability, have benefited from this child-centered pedagogy. Teachers have received specialized training to deliver lessons tailored to each child's level, giving every student the chance to thrive.
For Ayub and Bilal, school is more than just a place to learn. It is where they grow, have fun, and discover new things together. With kind and supportive teachers, lessons that are easy to follow, and each other for support, the two brothers are slowly building a better future, one day at a time.
