• Shacban Abdilahi Elmi

This study examined gender differences in examination performance at Saed Duad Intermediate School, Berbera (2003–2019), analyzing trends across subjects and assessing the impact of free primary education. A longitudinal descriptive and comparative design was used, enabling the analysis of 8-year performance trends and comparisons of gender-based differences in overall and subject-specific achievement. Secondary data from Grade 8 national examinations in Mathematics, Science, and English were disaggregated by gender. Welch’s t-tests evaluated overall and subject-specific gender differences (Hypotheses 1 and 2), while one-way ANOVA assessed performance before and after free primary education (Hypotheses 3 and 4), with significance set at p < .05. Results indicated no significant overall gender differences, though girls consistently outperformed boys in English, and isolated differences appeared in Mathematics and Science. Post-policy analysis revealed significant gains in Mathematics and English, with smaller changes in Science. The findings suggest that overall gender parity was maintained, but subject-specific disparities persist, highlighting the need for targeted interventions, gender-responsive pedagogy, and enhanced Science resources.

Gender differences, Academic achievement, Examination performance, Free primary education, Somaliland

"Gender Differences in Examination Performance: Case Study of Saed Daud Intermediate School in Berbera (2003-2019) ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no.a726-a740, January-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601087.pdf

"Gender Differences in Examination Performance: Case Study of Saed Daud Intermediate School in Berbera (2003-2019) ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 1, page no. ppa726-a740, January-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2601087.pdf