Speaker Jaamac Meets Top Grade 12 Students, Praises Academic Excellence

MOGADISHU — The Speaker of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (Jaamac), has met with the top-performing students from this year’s Grade 12 national secondary school examinations, commending their hard work and academic excellence.

The meeting, held at the Speaker’s office, was attended by the Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education, and the ten students who achieved the highest scores in the national exams. Speaker Jaamac congratulated the students on their outstanding performance, praising their dedication, resilience and commitment to their studies, which ultimately led them to become among the top students in the country.

Speaker Jaamac emphasized that the students’ success is not only a personal achievement but also a victory for Somali society and the nation as a whole, as they represent the generation that will lead the country in the future. He urged the students to double their efforts in their studies and make the most of opportunities for higher education, encouraging them to use their knowledge for the development, peace and reconstruction of their country.

The Speaker also expressed gratitude to the parents, teachers and all those involved in Somali education for their role in the students’ success, noting that investment in education and encouraging the new generation is essential for building a Somalia with knowledge, skills and a bright future. He called on the students to become role models and to be known for their knowledge, character, competence and patriotism, wishing them a bright future and great success for themselves, their families and their nation.

The Speaker’s meeting follows a similar gesture by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who also met with the top 10 students and pledged free university education for those wishing to continue their studies within the country.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Ambassador Khadiija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, have also 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, while the Minister provided Safiya with a job opportunity, praising her resilience and dedication.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher 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. Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir addressed the ceremony and announced that exams would be quickly administered for students who missed the examination.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who himself earned a Ph.D. in 2022, has long been a passionate advocate for education, promising to establish a fund to support Somali students pursuing doctoral degrees. His background as an educator and founding member of SIMAD University reflects his commitment to education as a foundation for national development.

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, spanning government officials, military officers, law enforcement personnel, and university students.

Youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge, with Somalia’s rate standing at 34.23% in 2025. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs has presented a National Youth Employment Strategy at the Global Labor Market Conference in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the government’s commitment to implementing substantial job creation programs and vocational training initiatives.

Critical Note

The Speaker’s meeting with top-performing students sends a positive signal about the government’s commitment to education and the recognition of academic excellence. 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 must prioritize investment in education and ensure that resources reach the most marginalized communities.

The promise of free university education for top-performing students is a positive step, but it must be implemented transparently and effectively. 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.