MOGADISHU — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has received Safiya Macalin Abdulle Cumar and her son, Maxamed Ciise Daahir, who secured the top position in this year’s National Secondary School Certificate Examination, in a meeting that celebrated academic excellence and maternal dedication.
The Prime Minister congratulated Safiya for her tireless efforts and sacrifices in raising her son, describing her as a role model for Somali mothers. He noted that her son’s achievement is a testament to her dedication and hard work.
“If it were easy to win a competition, anyone could do it. The fact that you achieved this through your efforts and the struggle you showed, and the upbringing of Hooyo Safiya, I am certain that many who had more opportunities than you today you have surpassed. This demonstrates the effort parents put into their children,” Prime Minister Barre said.
The Prime Minister also announced that the government would provide a job for Safiya as a government employee, while her son Maxamed Ciise Daahir would receive a scholarship for his university education, with the government covering all costs.
In a separate meeting, the Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Ambassador Khadiija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, also received Safiya at her office. The Minister praised Safiya’s resilience and dedication, describing her as an example of the strength and struggle of Somali mothers.
Minister Al-Makhzoumi announced that the Ministry would provide Safiya with a job opportunity starting from today, in recognition of her vital role and to enable her to continue contributing to her family’s welfare and her children’s education.
“The meeting with Safiya and her son deeply touched my heart. I listened to their story and their struggles,” the Minister said. Safiya and Maxamed Ciise expressed their gratitude to the Minister and the Ministry for the job opportunity and the support shown to the mother, describing the gesture as encouraging and hopeful for their family.
Minister Al-Makhzoumi wished Maxamed Ciise Daahir a bright future and great success in his education, while also extending congratulations to all Somali students who succeeded in the National Secondary School Certificate Examination. She emphasised that the success of children is the result of the effort, patience, and support of parents, especially Somali mothers.
The Ministry of Education announced the Grade 12 national exam results on August 15, 2026, confirming that 40,037 students passed the examination while 2,879 did not meet the required standard. The results were announced at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education, Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir.
Minister Al-Makhzoumi 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.
Prime Minister Barre personally called the top three students to congratulate them on their achievement, pledging that the Federal Government would cover all educational expenses for these students to continue their studies at universities. The top three students are Maxamed Ciise Daahir Yuusuf, Farxiya Faarax Cumar Cigaal, and Amino Khaalid Cabdalla Ahmed.
Girls have previously dominated the top positions in the Banaadir region’s Grade 8 certificate examinations, securing nine out of the top ten spots, with Sumayo Hassan Abshir Aadan achieving a score of 96.88%. Over 44,000 students passed the Grade 8 exams in Mogadishu, with a pass rate of approximately 96.8 percent and girls accounting for 45.47 percent of successful candidates.
Critical Note
The recognition of the top student and his mother by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Women’s Affairs is a welcome gesture that highlights the importance of education and parental support. However, such individual acts of recognition should be part of a broader strategy to improve education access and quality across the country. While the government’s gestures are commendable, they cannot substitute for sustained investment in education infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development.
The Somali education system continues to face significant challenges, with millions of children out of school due to conflict, displacement, poverty, and lack of infrastructure. The government must ensure that the recognition of individual success is accompanied by policies that enable all children, regardless of their background, to access quality education.
