As the education minister warns school heads found having students from lower classes as candidates for final examinations to expect full wrath of law” warns
By: Latifa Yusuf Masai
BURAO (Somalilandsun) – The government shall no longer tolerate the un-procedural elevation of students from one class to an upper one.
This was informed by the minister of Education Prof Farah Elmi Gedoole in the Toghdeer capital Burao where he also announced dates for final year school exams in Somaliland.
While ordering school heads to ensure that end of term tests are completed by the last week of May Prof Gedoole also revealed that the 
2014-2015 final year examinations for primary and secondary schools shall commence nationwide and simultaneously in week one of June.
Though he did not give figures of students sitting for the national examinations it is expected to surpass last year’s 20,000.
In the 2013/2014 exams 20,000 students and pupils sat their class eight and four national examinations with those seeking a certificate in primary education numbering 13,320 while 7,720 sat for their ‘O’ levels examinations undertaken in all primary and secondary schools in Somaliland.
For Prof Gedoole for whom the final year examinations shall be his biggest test since taking over the education portfolio from his very successful predecessor, the issue of ineligible students is a major problem.
While ineligibility legalized by corrupt officers is the main test for Prof Gedoole, his indefatigable predecessor Zamzam Abdi now at
the finance ministry had to contend with cheatings again facilitate by ministry personnel.
At the same time the Professor who is a skilled operative have very big shoes to fill in lieu of the fact that Ms Zamzam is credited with increasing registration and decreasing drop-out rates especially among girls who also managed to be placed among top ten nationwide.
