According to the ministry, this year’s candidates include 16,068 Grade 8 students and 9,153 Grade 12 students taking exams across 161 designated examination centers throughout Puntland State.

Officials said 98 centers have been allocated for intermediate-level examinations, while 63 centers are hosting secondary school exams.

The examinations were officially launched in Garowe by Puntland’s acting president alongside senior education officials and regional administrators.

Education authorities stated that the increase in candidates reflects continued growth in school enrollment, improved access to education, and rising public confidence in Puntland’s education system.

The Puntland administration has overseen unified and standardized national examinations for more than two decades, making it one of the longest-running and most established independent examination systems in Somalia.

Passing the Grade 8 examinations is required for students to advance to secondary education, while Grade 12 students must successfully complete their exams to receive high school certificates and qualify for university admission.

The Ministry of Education said extensive preparations had been completed before the launch of the exams, including the distribution of examination materials, deployment of invigilators, and coordination with regional authorities to ensure a smooth and transparent process.

Officials also emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline, fairness, and anti-cheating measures during the examination period.

Puntland has in recent years expanded investments in the education sector through school construction projects, teacher training programs, and partnerships with international organizations supporting education development in Somalia.

Despite economic and security challenges affecting parts of the country, Puntland continues to be viewed as one of Somalia’s most organized regional education systems, with steadily increasing student participation rates in standardized examinations each year.

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