MOGADISHU, June 14, 2025 – Thousands of students across Somalia sat for their final secondary school examinations on Saturday, marking the start of the national exams for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The standardized tests, which assess Grade 12 students completing their high school education, began smoothly at various designated examination centers throughout the country.
Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, officially launched the exams in a ceremony held in Mogadishu. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister praised students for their hard work and encouraged them to uphold honesty and integrity during the examinations.
He described the national exams as a key milestone in the country’s efforts to reform and strengthen its education system.
This year, students will sit for 12 subjects, a significant expansion compared to earlier years, reflecting broader curriculum development and increased educational capacity.
Somalia’s national high school examination program was first introduced in 2015. At its inception, only 3,522 students took part. That number has grown dramatically over the years, with 37,038 students sitting for the exam in 2024.
The Ministry of Education is expected to release the official number of examinees for 2025 in the coming days, though early estimates suggest a further increase.
Security and logistical arrangements were tightened to ensure the integrity and fairness of the examination process. Government officials, along with regional education authorities, are monitoring the conduct of the exams nationwide.
The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to raising the quality of education across Somalia and praised the resilience of students, teachers, and parents in overcoming challenges to reach this milestone.
