THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN ARCHIVED

Somali School Examinations Set a New Record in Student Candidature

25.05.2018
Text

Mogadishu, Thursday 24 May 2018 – 32,000 students of secondary school across Federal Member States and Benadir took this week the Form 4 exams to access higher education. In Puntland and Jubbaland, an additional 11,000 candidates registered for primary school-leaving Grade 8 exams. The total of 43,000 exam takers represents an increase of 7,000 compared to 2017. Heavy rains and flash floods experienced these past days did not discourage the determined candidates, eager to be awarded a university scholarship.

“I would like to do well and get a scholarship to study Public Administration," said Katro Mohamoud of Fanoole secondary school in Kismayu. "The Jubaland administration is young and needs qualified staff. I would be glad to serve my community to ensure they get quality services", she added.

It is the 4th consecutive year that centralised examinations take place, with each passing year recording an increase in student numbers since 2015, when 3,400 sat their exams. This increase is a positive sign of the progress made by the Government in restoring coordination and regulation into the education system.

Somalia’s Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire opened the exam session at the 15th May School in Mogadishu, one of the 85 exam centres across the country. “This is a great milestone for Somali education, for the students, and for the mothers and fathers who enable their students to take part in the exams. I thank all those involved who made this possible, including donors who supported the exams", he said.

Federal Minister of Education Abdirahman Dahir Osman further added that "improved access and retention of the Somali youth in primary and secondary school has greatly been supported by development partners, with the European Union leading in education support. The Ministry of Education acknowledges the great partnership and looks forward to more fruitful collaboration in the coming years to ensure a secure future for the Somali people”.

The European Union has been funding examinations and curriculum development in Somalia since 2011 with a total of EUR 9.5 million. EU support has significantly contributed to strengthening the capacity of the education authorities to implement the new curriculum framework and hold examinations according to international standard. The European Union is the main donor to the education sector in Somalia with a contribution of EUR 60 million for the period 2014-2020.

"The European Union is delighted to have contributed to these great achievements; we look forward to an even greater partnership with the Government to enable Somali youth to pursue tertiary education in Somalia and beyond. We are proud to be partners in this noble mission of developing Somalia’s future leaders through education,” said the EU Chargé d’Affaires Pencho Garrido Ruiz.

For further inquiries please contact: WURDAK Alix

DELEGATION-SOMALIA@eeas.europa.eu

Category
Joint Statements
Location

Mogadishu

Editorial sections
Somalia