Somali Canadian Education: Academic Trends and Achievement
Education serves as a critical pillar for integration and success for the Somali community in Canada. A significant portion of Somali elementary and secondary students are enrolled within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the primary educational authority for the city of Toronto. Analyzing the academic trajectory of these students reveals a complex picture of challenges in early literacy and numeracy, balanced by strong graduation rates and a growing trend toward higher education.
The educational journey for many Somali-speaking students begins with foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Data from the TDSB indicates a gap in achievement levels for students in Grades 7 and 8 compared to the general student average.
Academic Performance in Middle School
In Grades 7 and 8, Somali-speaking pupils show a higher concentration in lower achievement levels across core subjects. For instance, in reading, 13% of these students fall into Level 0 or 1, compared to a 6% average for all TDSB students. Similarly, 54% reach Level 3 or 4, while the general average is 72%.
Writing and mathematics follow a similar pattern:
- Writing: 12% of Somali-speaking students are in Level 0 or 1 (average: 7%), and 52% are in Level 3 or 4 (average: 70%).
- Mathematics: 18% are in Level 0 or 1 (average: 10%), and 51% are in Level 3 or 4 (average: 70%).
Secondary School Progress and Graduation
As students transition into high school, the data shows a strong commitment to completing secondary education. In Grade 9, 25% of Somali-speaking pupils completed fewer than eight credits by the end of the 2011–2012 school year, compared to a 15% average. Additionally, 63% completed the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), while the average for first-time eligible pupils was 73%.
Despite these early hurdles, graduation rates have seen significant improvement. The 2008 Grade 9 cohort of Somali-speaking students achieved a graduation rate of 80%, which is closely aligned with the general pupil rate of 83% and the English-speaking student rate of 78%. Notably, this represents a 27% increase over the graduation rate of the 2000 Grade 9 cohort.
Post-Secondary Attainment and Trends
The transition to higher education is a growing trend among Somali Canadians. Approximately 61% of Somali-speaking students confirmed an offer of admission to an Ontario post-secondary institute, nearing the TDSB average of 66%.
Breakdown of Post-Secondary Confirmations
- Universities: 41% confirmed an offer to an Ontario university (general average: 50%).
- Colleges: 20% confirmed an offer to an Ontario college (general average: 16%).
- Other: 12% applied but did not confirm (general average: 10%).
Between the 2000-2005 and 2008-2013 Grade 9 cohorts, post-secondary confirmations for Somali-speaking pupils rose by 25%, significantly outpacing the 10% increase seen among general TDSB students. Specifically, university confirmations rose by 17% and college confirmations by 7%, while non-applications dropped by 18%.
Adult Educational Attainment
Broadly looking at the adult population, data from the National Household Survey (NHS) for Somali Canadians aged 25 to 64 (17,315 individuals) shows that 7,885 hold a post-secondary credential. This includes 2,975 university degrees or certificates at the bachelor level or above, and 3,120 college or non-university diplomas.
Of those with post-secondary credentials, 6,825 studied within Canada (with 6,115 studying in their province of residence), while 2,760 studied abroad.
| Field of Study | Number of Individuals |
|---|---|
| Business, Management, and Public Administration | 2,230 |
| Health and Related Fields | 1,840 |
| Social and Behavioural Sciences and Law | 1,425 |
| Architecture, Engineering, and Related Technologies | 1,380 |
| Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences | 760 |
| Humanities | 495 |
| Physical and Life Sciences and Technologies | 455 |
| Personal, Protective, and Transportation Services | 395 |
| Education | 300 |
| Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Conservation | 150 |
Key Facts
- Graduation Growth: The graduation rate for the 2008 Grade 9 cohort (80%) was 27% higher than that of the 2000 cohort.
- Higher Ed Surge: Post-secondary confirmations for Somali-speaking pupils increased by 25% between the 2000-2005 and 2008-2013 cohorts.
- Academic Parity: Somali-speaking students in Grades 9 and 10 enroll in academic and applied courses at rates similar to the TDSB average.
- Top Fields: Business, management, and public administration is the most common field of study among Somali Canadians.
- Domestic Study: The majority of post-secondary credentials (6,825) were earned at Canadian institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Somali-speaking students perform in middle school compared to the TDSB average?
Somali-speaking students in Grades 7 and 8 generally show lower achievement levels in reading, writing, and mathematics than the TDSB average, with a higher percentage of students in Levels 0, 1, and 2.
What is the graduation rate for Somali-speaking students in Toronto?
The 2008 Grade 9 cohort had a graduation rate of 80%, which is close to the general pupil rate of 83% and the English-speaking student rate of 78%.
Are Somali-speaking students pursuing post-secondary education?
Yes, 61% of Somali-speaking students confirmed offers to Ontario post-secondary institutes. There has been a 25% increase in these confirmations between the 2000-2005 and 2008-2013 cohorts.
What are the most common fields of study for Somali Canadians?
The most prevalent fields of study are business, management, and public administration, followed by health and related fields, and social and behavioural sciences and law.
Where do Somali Canadians typically obtain their post-secondary education?
Most obtain their credentials within Canada, with 6,115 individuals studying in their province of residence and 710 in other provinces, while 2,760 studied abroad.