Yemeni Education Ministry Recognizes Syrian Student as Top Scorer After Public Outcry

Al-Mahra — The internationally recognized Yemeni Ministry of Education officially confirmed Syrian student Ruaa Mahmoud Sheikh as the top scorer in Al-Mahra governorate’s high school exams with a grade of 99.25 percent, following a wave of public solidarity after her name was initially excluded from the honors list.

The ministry explained that her omission was due to a “technical error” in the system, which automatically separated foreign students from national lists. Officials said the glitch has been corrected and her achievement formally recognized.

In a related development, the Supreme Examination Committee ordered a re-sit of the biology exam for 386 students across three centers in Lahj governorate, after confirming procedural irregularities in the initial evaluation that had been classified as “mass cheating.”

Authorities also announced the recognition of Majid Najeeb Mohammed, a visually impaired student from Lahj, who secured first place in his category with a 97 percent score. 

Despite his disability, Mohammed completed the same general exams as sighted students, earning praise for his determination and success.

The ministry stressed that these measures reflect its commitment to fairness and transparency in the examination process, while honoring exceptional achievements across diverse student groups.