Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – In September 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud applauded students and educators during the announcement of the 2024–2025 national examination results, heralding a milestone in Somalia’s post-conflict educational recovery.
With a remarkable national pass rate of 93.8%, and about 34,742 students passing out of 37,052, the event marked a significant victory for the country’s efforts to rebuild its education system. Simultaneously, the President launched the 2025–2026 school year and celebrated the completion of a nationwide teacher training program that benefited 3,000 educators.
President Mohamud became Somalia’s first sitting head of state to earn a PhD, which he defended at the University for Peace (UPEACE) in Peace, Governance, and Development. His dissertation, titled “Examining the Challenges of Clan Politics in State‑building: A Case Study of Somalia,” underscored his commitment to higher education as a cornerstone for national resilience.
On graduation, the President pledged to establish a scholarship fund for the first 100 Somali PhD candidates at UPEACE, reinforcing his vision of education as a transformative tool.
Back in 2016, President Mohamud cut the ribbon at the rehabilitated Polytechnic College in Mogadishu, his alma mater. He stressed that “education is the best investment in our people and the foundation of our future,” emphasizing the critical role of vocational training in building hands-on skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and generating employment opportunities.
In March 2023, President Mohamud’s administration hosted the first-ever National Education Conference, uniting policymakers, academicians, civil society representatives, and diaspora leaders. The event’s theme, “Transforming Our Society through Quality and Relevant Education,” led to concrete recommendations—such as offering free public education, improving governance, and expanding access for marginalized groups.
Further, the President announced a bold plan to recruit an additional 3,000 teachers to public schools, with ambitions to scale up to 10,000 new teaching positions—a move hailed as a transformative step for Somalia’s education sector.
Education is central to Somalia’s renewal, and President Mohamud—through both policy and personal example—has elevated it as a national priority. His own journey from educator to head of state, equipped with a PhD, sends a powerful message that knowledge and leadership go hand in hand.
The launch of large-scale teacher training, expanded recruitment efforts, and inclusive national dialogues foster inclusive and quality education for all, including girls and marginalized groups.
The President’s focus on higher education, especially in areas like governance and state-building, aligns with Somalia’s broader goals of unity and peace. It aspires to cultivate an informed citizenry equipped to contribute to the nation’s democratic foundations.