Puntland urged to allow students to take national exams

The Minister of education for the federal government of Somalia, Mr Goodah Bare has recommended that Puntland state should allow students in the state to seat for the Somali national examination council eams.

The minister argues that as per the set examination rules and regulations, the federal government has the only authority to excises the general examination mandate.

Minister Goodah said“Puntland must seat for the national exam, otherwise let Puntland regional state be self-sufficient and not seek a national certificate from ministry of education of the federal government of Somalia”

Puntland ministry of education has accused the federal government of not recommending the National education certificate after Puntland set its own regional examination for Puntland students.

The federal government has spearheaded the strict education system in the whole country and is set to roll out a new educational curriculum.

 The Federal Member State of Puntland has been skeptical on the unified National Exams,.

The ministry of education of Puntland argues that the state has its own education system that it has been practicing since 2003 which is based on policy and a unique curriculum.

The examinations, held for the fourth consecutive year, in Banadir, Jubaland, Southwest, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle, except Puntland, are

presided over by the Somali Federal ministry of education.

– Why Puntland boycotted national exams..? The administration says it is dues to:

1- Lack of unified education policy and regulations

2- The diversity of the curriculum

3- The government-administered exam “unreliable”

4- Low in expertise and skills needed for setting, managing and correcting the examinations

5 -The quality of the government-controlled exams is below the standard

Both sides had previously signed a deal that gives Puntland Independent in issues related to curriculum, examinations, certificate issuance and the scholarships from abroad.