MOGADISHU (Raxanreeb Online) –The official nationwide Grade 12 secondary school examinations began this morning across Somalia, with a total of 34,400 students sitting for the tests, the Ministry of Education confirmed.

This year’s candidates include 23,000 boys and 16,300 girls, hailing from districts and regions throughout the country—excluding Puntland and Somaliland, which operate separate education systems.

Speaking to the media, Nuura Mustaf Mukhtar, Somalia’s State Minister for Education, announced that the examination system has undergone significant reforms this year. The new structure aims to improve transparency, ensure fairness, and enhance the quality of the national exams.

“The changes we’ve implemented are designed to boost confidence in the system and to reflect our commitment to raising academic standards across Somalia,” said Minister Nuura.

The Ministry also confirmed that exams are proceeding smoothly in key districts including Ceel-dheer, Warsheekh, Buurhakaba, Las Anod, Gaalkacyo, and Buuhoodle, with security measures tightened around examination centers to maintain order and safety.

Authorities have urged students to approach the exams with confidence and to strictly follow the guidelines in place at testing locations.

The national exam marks a significant moment for thousands of Somali students and is seen as a critical step toward improving education standards and rebuilding trust in the country’s academic institutions.