School exams 2026 in Kédougou: more than 9,000 candidates expected, authorities reassure about preparations.

The Kédougou region officially launched preparations for the 2026 school examinations during a Regional Development Committee (CRD) meeting dedicated to organizing these important academic events. Administrative authorities, education officials, and local government representatives reviewed the measures taken to ensure the smooth running of the examinations.

This year, the region has registered a total of 9,374 candidates across the various exams. The Elementary School Leaving Certificate (CFEE) has 5,991 candidates, the Middle School Leaving Certificate (BFEM) has 1,978 candidates, the Technical Baccalaureate has 150 candidates, and the General Baccalaureate has 1,255 candidates.

Speaking after the meeting, the Inspector of the Academy of Kédougou, Jamal Abdel Nasser Diallo, indicated that the results of the previous school year had been carefully analyzed in order to identify the achievements and the challenges to be met.

“We have reviewed all of last year’s results with great satisfaction. However, there are still areas for improvement, particularly in the general baccalaureate where we are still struggling to reach the 50% success rate,” he explained.

The Inspector of Schools, however, welcomed the results achieved in the BFEM (Brevet de Fin d'Études Moyennes) and the entrance exam for sixth grade. He also highlighted one of the main innovations of this school year: the elimination of the sixth-grade entrance exam.

Regarding the CFEE, he specified that the organization will now be done in a format similar to that of the BFEM, with a maximum duration of about ten days for the entire process.

From an organizational standpoint, Jamal Abdel Nasser Diallo expressed satisfaction with the level of mobilization of the various stakeholders involved. However, he drew attention to certain difficulties related to transporting candidates to remote areas.

"The main point of concern remains the mobility of candidates. In some hard-to-reach areas, we still encounter transport constraints. We urge local authorities to strengthen their contribution in order to facilitate the transport of candidates to examination centers," he argued.

Presiding over the meeting, the deputy governor in charge of Development, Mouhamadoul Moustapha Gaye, reassured everyone about the state of preparedness of the region.

"The Kédougou region is ready for the school exams. Firm instructions have been given to all stakeholders, including the prefects of the departments, to work closely with education inspectors to implement the recommendations from this CRD," he said.

According to him, all necessary measures must be taken in each locality hosting an examination centre in order to guarantee optimal conditions for candidates and to ensure the smooth running of the tests throughout the regional territory.

With just days to go before the start of the exams, educational and administrative authorities are showing their confidence while calling for collective mobilization to overcome the last logistical challenges, particularly in the most remote areas of the region.