A growing debate has emerged over payments made to teachers involved in marking Somalia’s national secondary school examinations, following complaints that compensation for exam markers has fallen sharply in recent years.
According to figures circulated by individuals familiar with the process, the amount paid to teachers for marking national exams has steadily declined year after year. The reported payments were:
- 2022 — $800
- 2023 — $700
- 2024 — $576
- 2025 — $480
- 2026 — $300
If these figures are officially confirmed, they would represent a significant reduction in compensation for teachers tasked with one of the most critical stages of the national examination process.
The reported drop from $800 in 2022 to $300 in 2026 amounts to a decrease of $500, or approximately 62.5 percent over four years.
The issue has raised questions among educators and the public about the reasons behind the decline.
Teachers play a central role in ensuring the accuracy, credibility, and integrity of the national examination system, making their compensation a matter of concern for many stakeholders.
So far, no official explanation has been provided regarding the reported reduction in payments.
Authorities have also not released detailed documentation showing how examiner compensation has been calculated each year or whether changes in budgeting, examiner numbers, or examination procedures contributed to the reported decrease.
As discussions continue, educators are calling for greater transparency over how exam-marking payments are determined and whether measures will be taken to address concerns about declining compensation for teachers participating in the national examination process.