Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Higher Education of Somalia has announced the cancellation of 12th-grade exam results for students in Luuq District, Gedo region, and Kismayo, Jubaland, following significant disruptions during the 2024/2025 national exams.
The Ministry revealed the news during the release of national exam results for Southern, Central, and North Eastern Somalia on Sunday in Jowhar.
According to the Ministry, the results from the Luuq exam center were annulled due to severe administrative failures, including the suspension of six exam supervisors for negligence. A criminal investigation has been launched into the actions of the monitoring team in Luuq. Affected students will be permitted to retake their exams in December 2025, with the costs covered by the monitoring team.
In Kismayo, unrest during the exam led to the suspension of results for students involved in the disturbances. Students who participated in the unrest were disqualified from the two subjects they had taken on the day of the incident. Their results will be reconsidered once they compensate for the damages caused by the disruptions.
In addition to these actions, the Ministry confirmed the following:
- Results were annulled for 2 students involved in cheating.
- 12 students involved in unrest and violence had their results canceled.
- 24 students engaged in general misconduct had their results annulled.
These students will not be allowed to sit for future exams without demonstrating good conduct, and their cases have been referred for criminal investigation.
Minister of Education, Farah Abduqadir, expressed concern about the involvement of students in criminal activities during the exams, stating, "While more than 38,000 students participated in the exams, 38 students engaged in criminal activities, some were even taken to court. This means that for every 1,000 students, one student committed a criminal act." He emphasized the need for discipline and integrity within the education system.
The Ministry also shared the national exam performance statistics:
- 39,368 students were registered, with 98% attendance (38,471 students).
- 32,714 students passed, accounting for 85% of attendees, while 5,757 students (15%) failed.
- Regional performance varied, with Banadir recording an 81% pass rate and Waqooyi Bari registering the lowest pass rate at 74%.
The Ministry reiterated that these actions reflect its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Somalia’s education system and addressing regional disparities in future exam administrations.
