President Hassan Sheikh Honours Top Grade 12 Students with Promise of Free University Access

MOGADISHU — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has met with the top 10 students from this year’s Grade 12 national secondary school examinations, commending their hard work and academic excellence while pledging to provide free university education to those who wish to continue their studies within the country.

The President praised the students for their dedication, resilience and outstanding results, urging them to maintain their commitment to their studies. He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting education as a foundation for national development, noting that the government would provide free education for students interested in pursuing their studies within the country.

President Hassan Sheikh also announced the government’s plans to establish a new public university that would offer specialised courses in technology, providing quality educational opportunities for Somali youth, particularly those interested in modern sciences and technology.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education recently announced the Grade 12 national exam results for the 2025/2026 academic year, confirming that 40,037 students passed the examination while 2,879 did not meet the required standard. Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir addressed the ceremony and announced that exams would be quickly administered for students who missed the examination due to various circumstances.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and the Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Ambassador Khadiija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, have separately honoured the top student in this year’s national exams, Maxamed Ciise Daahir, and his mother, Safiya Macalin Abdulle Cumar. The Prime Minister announced that the government would provide a job for Safiya and a full scholarship for her son’s university education. The Minister of Women’s Affairs also provided Safiya with a job opportunity, praising her resilience and dedication.

A President Committed to Education

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has long been a passionate advocate for education, having earned a Ph.D. from the University for Peace in 2022, making him the first sitting Somali president to obtain a doctorate. In his address after graduation, he promised to establish a fund to support the education of a hundred Somali students pursuing doctoral degrees at the university.

Efforts to expand educational opportunities for Somalis have also been bolstered by international partnerships, with more than 150 Somalis awarded Chinese government scholarships this year, the largest intake on record. The cohort spans government officials, military officers, law enforcement personnel, and university students. China has also provided military scholarships to 31 officers from the Somali National Armed Forces.

Efforts to expand educational access have included the renovation of schools like the Qasim AlBarawi Primary and Secondary School in Barawe, which saw over 300 students, including girls, enroll after USAID-funded renovations.

Somalia and Kenya have made progress on certificate equivalency, addressing barriers that have affected Somali students seeking to continue their education in the region .

Prime Minister Hamza has previously emphasized the importance of aligning education with market needs, noting that “a person who has studied is expected to use their knowledge to solve the problems existing in the market.” The Ministry of Education has also adopted a “No Child Left Behind” approach to ensure all children have access to quality education.

Girls’ Education and National Achievements

Girls’ education has been a key priority for the government and international partners. The government has announced plans to award scholarships to 3,000 female students who excelled in national exams, promoting gender equity in education. The Ministry of Education has listed several key achievements, including the recruitment of 3,000 additional teachers, scholarships for 3,000 girls, and the development of the first-ever Higher Education Act.

Minister Al-Makhzoumi has also congratulated the female students who achieved top positions, noting that six of the top ten students in the exam were girls, reflecting the active role Somali girls are playing in education and society.

Critical Note

The President’s meeting with top-performing students sends a positive signal about the government’s commitment to education and the recognition of academic excellence. The record number of Chinese government scholarships and the recent Grade 12 exam results indicate progress in expanding educational opportunities.

However, the broader challenge facing Somalia’s education system remains the provision of quality education to all children, not just the top performers. While over 40,000 students passed the Grade 12 exams, millions of children across the country remain out of school due to conflict, displacement, poverty, and lack of infrastructure. The education system continues to face severe resource constraints, with many schools lacking basic facilities, qualified teachers, and learning materials.

The government’s focus on technology and innovation is welcome, but it must be accompanied by investment in foundational education, teacher training, and infrastructure. Without addressing the systemic challenges facing the education sector, including limited access, inadequate resources and teacher shortages, the gap between the education system’s potential and its reality will continue to widen.

The promise of free university education for top-performing students is a positive step, but it must be implemented transparently and effectively to ensure that it reaches those who need it most. The government must also ensure that the broader education system is strengthened to provide quality education to all Somali children, regardless of their background or location.