Nearly 20,000 Students Sit Grade 8 Exams across South West State

GOOBJOOG NEWS | BAIDOA: South West State President Adan Mohamed Nur Madobe on Monday officially launched Grade 8 certificate examinations across the state, with nearly 20,000 students taking part in this year’s tests.

According to South West State’s Ministry of Education, a total of 19,788 students are sitting the examinations, including 11,411 boys and 8,377 girls.

The figure marks a significant increase from last year’s 15,269 candidates, reflecting growing school enrollment and expanding access to education across the state.

The launch ceremony was attended by education officials, teachers, federal government representatives and other guests, who praised efforts to strengthen the education sector and increase learning opportunities in South West State.

Addressing students, President Madobe encouraged candidates to remain confident and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they had acquired throughout their studies.

He also commended teachers, parents, school administrators and education officials for their role in preparing students and ensuring the smooth administration of the examinations.

The increase in candidate numbers comes as Somali authorities and international partners continue efforts to expand access to education, particularly in regions affected by conflict, displacement and climate-related challenges.

Education remains a major priority for Somalia, where governments at both federal and state levels have sought to improve enrollment rates, increase access for girls and strengthen examination systems in recent years.

Officials said the growing number of students sitting for examinations in South West State reflects progress in efforts to rebuild and expand education services after decades of instability.

The South West administration reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of education and investing in future generations, describing education as a key driver of development, stability and long-term economic growth.