Puntland denies involvement in World Bank education project

Somalia’s Puntland State has refuted claims of involvement in the Rajo Kaaba Education Project, a World Bank-funded initiative. Puntland’s Ministry of Education asserts there was no prior consultation, agreement, or formal understanding with the federal government regarding the project.

Scholarship Exam Announcement and Subsequent Response

The Federal Ministry of Education announced on January 2 that girls from Puntland and the North-East regions who passed the second phase of the Rajo Kaaba Scholarship Exam were invited to participate in a final exam on January 5. The Ministry reported 2,165 girls applied, with 1,417 progressing to the final stage.

Puntland’s Denial of Involvement

In a statement released on Saturday, Puntland’s Ministry of Education rejected the Federal Ministry’s claims, characterizing the announcement as misleading. The statement explicitly denied any involvement or benefit for Puntland in the Rajo Kaaba project, accusing the federal government of a “deliberate misinformation attempt.”

Project Overview

The Rajo Kaaba Education Project is funded by the World Bank and is designed to provide educational opportunities for girls, with a focus on vulnerable communities throughout Somalia.