Somalia breaks new ground in education by expanding national Secondary school examinations

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 3, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —The Somali education authorities with financial support from the European Union have this week administered the end of secondary school examinations to 33,000 students marking unprecedented subscription to standardized and centralized country-wide examinations. An additional 26,000 pupils also sat for the end of primary school examinations same week. This high turn up for a government sanctioned examinations by Somali pupils and students signals a positive step towards restoration of a government controlled and regulated education services.For the Federal Government of Somalia, this is the second year of organising centralised form four examinations. The increase from 3,500 candidates in 2015 to 20,000 in 2016 is a reflection of an increased demand for a credible examinations system especially among the private umbrella schools.

Examinations have been successfully administered in Galmudug, Jubaland, Middle Shabele, Hiiraan, and South-west administration for the first time in over two decades.

“The progress we are witnessing today is a result of a strong collaboration with our development partners and in particular the EU and the state education authorities. The latter has played a leading role in expanding the geographical coverage of examinations” said the Director General in the Federal Ministry of Education Mr. Mohamed Abdikadir Nur.

“The preparation of examination centres and provision of security by the federal authorities is a major leap in the right direction” said the Head of the EU Delegation to Somalia Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso. “The participation of the relevant arms of the government, parents and members of the community is a great indicator of the desire to build a credible education system in Somalia that contributes to peace, development and prosperity”.

The European Union has been funding examinations and curriculum development in Somalia since 2011 to the tune of EURO 7 million. This support implemented through Africa Education Trust has been focussing on the strengthening of the capacity of the education authorities to implement the new curriculum framework and hold examinations of international standards for those graduating from it.

The European Union is the main donor to the education sector in Somalia with an investment of MEUR 61 committed for the period 2014-2020. Support is directed at strengthening public systems for the delivery of education services. Over the years, tangible achievements have been registered in the areas of expanding education and vocational training opportunities for Somali children and youth, enhancing capacity of education administrations, development of curriculum framework, and implementation of centralized examinations.