MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – The recent announcement of Somalia’s national secondary school exam results has sparked widespread concern about the direction and leadership of the country’s education sector. A total of 39,382 students sat for the 2025 Form Four national exams — yet alarmingly, over 5,000 students failed. This is not merely a disappointing statistic; it is a troubling indicator of systemic failure at the highest levels of educational leadership.
Alarming Decline in Science Education
While national exams naturally produce both high and low performers, the severity of underperformance in key science subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology is especially concerning. These disciplines are foundational for any nation aspiring to develop in the fields of technology, medicine, engineering, and innovation.
An analysis of the results reveals that science subjects recorded the lowest average scores across the board. This sharp decline in performance is not due to a lack of student effort, but rather reflects deep-rooted problems within the education system — specifically under the leadership of Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir, whose tenure has failed to address critical gaps in the sector.
Systemic Failures, Not Student Failures
Blaming students for these poor results overlooks the real issue: a systemic collapse in educational planning, investment, and leadership. Science education requires specific inputs — all of which have been largely ignored in recent years:
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Qualified, well-trained teachers with subject expertise.
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Modern laboratories and equipment for hands-on learning.
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Updated textbooks and materials aligned with international standards.
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Ongoing professional development for educators.
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Strategic investment and oversight from the Ministry of Education.
Unfortunately, none of these areas have been prioritized. Instead, the education sector remains marred by political interference, lack of effective policy monitoring, and unrealistic initiatives disconnected from the actual needs of students and teachers.
Leadership Failure and the Call for Accountability
In any accountable and democratic government, a minister who presides over systemic failure on this scale would be expected to step down. Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir had the responsibility to craft sound education policies, ensure strategic allocation of resources, and champion reforms that uplift student outcomes.
Instead, the Ministry under his leadership has delivered failure — particularly in science education, a sector crucial to national development. The damage is not just academic — it is a disservice to the aspirations of Somali youth, their parents, and the nation as a whole.
If Minister Farah truly values the future of Somalia’s education system, he must accept responsibility and resign from his post. Continued denial and inaction will only compound the crisis.
Why Science Education Is Vital to Somalia’s Future
Somalia’s goal of rebuilding its economy and securing a stable future for its youth cannot be achieved without a robust investment in STEM education — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Globally, nations that have emerged from conflict and underdevelopment have done so by empowering their youth with technical and scientific skills. In contrast, Somalia risks producing a generation that is unprepared to compete in the global economy if urgent reforms are not implemented.
A Path Forward: Real Reform, Not Rhetoric
To reverse the decline, Somalia must undertake bold and immediate reforms in its education sector. This includes:
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Prioritize Science Education
Make Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology central to the national curriculum, with appropriate investment in materials and teacher support. -
Strengthen Teacher Training and Retention
Establish continuous professional development programs and offer fair compensation to attract and retain skilled science educators. -
Build Educational Infrastructure
Construct and equip science laboratories in all secondary schools to provide practical, hands-on learning experiences. -
Modernize the Curriculum
Align the national curriculum with international standards and emphasize practical application, critical thinking, and innovation. -
Hold Leadership Accountable
Introduce performance-based evaluations for education officials, and ensure that leadership positions are filled based on merit, not political loyalty.
The Cost of Neglect
The failure of over 5,000 students — particularly in science subjects — is not a minor setback. It is a national crisis that exposes the failures of leadership, a lack of strategic vision, and the absence of accountability in Somalia’s education system.
Minister Farah Sheikh Abdulqadir’s tenure has overseen stagnation, not progress. His failure to prioritize science education — and by extension, the future of Somalia — is grounds for immediate resignation.
Somalia cannot afford an education system that produces failure. Its future depends on a new generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators — not a legacy of neglect and political mismanagement. The time for change is now.