More than 41,000 students in Somalia’s Banadir region have started sitting for this year’s intermediate-level national examinations, marking a major milestone in the academic calendar and the continued development of Somalia’s education sector.
The exams, which are being independently administered by the Banadir Regional Administration for the sixth year in a row, commenced on Monday under tight security.
Governor of Banadir and Mayor of Mogadishu, Dr. Hassan Mohamed Hussein Muungaab, officially launched the examination period. In his remarks, he praised both the students for their dedication and families for supporting education despite the region’s challenges. He also thanked the security services for helping maintain order and protecting exam centers.
“This is a proud moment for our region,” said Mayor Muungaab. “These young students represent the future, and we remain committed to providing them with access to free, quality education.”
The opening ceremony was attended by senior local officials, including Deputy Governor for Security and Politics Mohamed Ahmed Diriye, along with education administrators and police representatives.
Officials say a total of 41,639 students are taking part in the exams across multiple centers in Mogadishu and surrounding districts. Authorities have expressed confidence in the smooth running of the exams and emphasized their broader importance for social development and national progress.