Education Minister Announces Timetable For 2007 Secondary School Examinations

Hargeysa, Somaliland, June 23, 2007 (SL Times) – The Minister of Education, Mr Hassan Haji M. Warsame announced on 14 June the start and finish dates for all secondary and middle school 2007 exams. The minister made this announcement in a press conference held at the headquarters of the National Examination Board of Somaliland (NEBS), in Hargeysa.

The minister said, `today, we have gathered on this day (14 June 2007), to make it known to all secondary and middle school students and teachers the start of the end of year term examinations. I hereby inform the people of Somaliland that the 16th of June will be the first day of the national exams for the national certificate for form eight middle school pupils and high school form four pupils. The number of form eight middle school pupils who will be taking the exams this year are 5, 231, those who pass this exam will next year be transferred to the high school form 1 classes. The number of high school form 4 pupils sitting in this year's exams will be 2,448 pupils.’

The minister pointed out that `from the number of pupils sitting in this year’s final exams it can be seen that they have increased greatly over the years. Pupils from all six regions of Somaliland will sit in these exams, and 561 people will be staffing them, not including the 55 district and regional educational directors. The exams will end on two different dates for the pupils. The secondary and middle school pupils will complete their exams on the 21 June, while the secondary school pupils will complete their exams on 24 June.’

The education minister, Mr Hassan Haji M. Warsame gave the number of pupils in each region of Somaliland going to sit in the secondary and middle schools exams as, `for middle school pupils in Hargeysa region as 2,852, Togdheer region 790, Sahil region 286, Awdal region 712, Sanag region 461 and Sool region 130. For secondary pupils, Awdal region 408, Hargeysa region 1,414, Sahil region 193, Togdheer region 191, Sanag region 142.’

The minister explained that, `private schools and institutions which number 17 in total composed of secondary and middle schools are not included in these figures which I have just mentioned.’

In conclusion, the minister wished all pupils the best of luck in their exams and thanked all those taking part in running and managing the exams.