The intermediate school certificate examinations have begun and will continue for two days, ending on Monday, the 27th of this month. The secondary school certificate examinations will start on Wednesday, the 29th, and will conclude on July 2nd. Approximately 62,000 students are taking the intermediate certificate exams, while around 43,000 are sitting for the secondary exams. About 12,000 teachers are participating in monitoring the exams after the official teachers' unions decided against boycotting the exams and the correction processes.
The Ministry of Education has sought assistance from private sector teachers in anticipation of any shortfall in the number of monitors or potential boycotts, based on Decree No. 9189 issued on May 18, 2022, which allows the recruitment of private teachers for official exams. It is noted that the number of private teachers does not exceed one thousand, and this is the first time they are participating in the monitoring process, although they have been involved in correcting exams for decades and have representatives in exam committees.
In the arrangements for the exams, consideration was given to the geographical distribution of teachers based on their residential locations to reduce transportation costs, positioning them in centers nearby. Hundreds of centers were also selected to ensure easy access for students and teachers.
Amid the fuel crisis and traffic issues, the tuk tuk has emerged as the star of transportation to the centers in some areas.
**Imad Al-Ashqar Appeals:**
On another note, Imad Al-Ashqar, the Director-General of Education and Head of the Examining Committees, appealed through LBCI to private generator owners to provide electricity to the official exam centers, as several have refused to do so, particularly with the weather conditions necessitating illumination for the exam rooms to clearly see the exam papers. Al-Ashqar inspected the first day of the intermediate certificate examinations, in which 60,933 candidates are participating, visiting centers at the Uruguay School designated for candidates with learning difficulties and special needs, the St. Jude Center for Children with Cancer at the American University of Beirut, and the Shakib Arslan Official School in Verdun, accompanied by the media advisor to the Minister of Education, Albert Chamoun.
He toured the halls and solicited candidates' opinions regarding the difficulty of the questions. The response was that they found the questions easy and that they felt prepared for the exams, with many finishing the test about half an hour before the allotted time. He confirmed that students with difficulties who require a teacher to write for them, according to their needs, were provided with the necessary support.
At the children's cancer center, candidates arrived in their designated area at the American University Hospital well before the scheduled time, expressing their satisfaction with the questions, which they considered easy and for which they had prepared adequately. Al-Ashqar was received by the center's head, Miguel Aboud, and the educational care team for candidates.
At the end of the tour, Al-Ashqar stated: "Our tour today marks the first at the beginning of official exams after two years of disruption. This year has been realized through the cooperation and solidarity of all. We started at the Uruguay Official School designated for students with learning difficulties, and the atmosphere is very good, with candidates appearing very comfortable, as evident from the heads of centers and monitors. I assure parents that the level of the exams reflects the preparedness of the candidates. Thus, there is no cause for fear or despair. The ministry has taken into account all circumstances the students have faced. All our children are participating in these exams, and we empathize with them as we visit the centers to reassure them. The Minister of Education and Higher Education, Abbas Halabi, is closely monitoring all matters concerning candidates, teachers, and those involved in this national educational milestone to ensure we succeed together in maintaining the standard of the official certificate."
He added: "This is an opportunity to salute all members of the educational body and all heads of exam centers and staff in the Ministry of Education who worked hard to reach this day. Despite the rain, which is a sign of life for the earth, these exams signify life for the educational process. We faced on-ground issues, including the lack of electricity in several official exam centers. Through the media, I appeal to local authorities and ask generator owners during this national event, which involves our children, to keep the generators running during exam hours, as candidates need to be in comfortable conditions during the four hours allotted for the exams to succeed."
In response to a question about teachers boycotting corrections, he stated: "The minister extends his appreciation to all educational personnel today and to the candidates, encouraging them. He met with teachers’ unions and informed them of the positive outcome of his efforts with funding bodies to secure additional incentives based on what they receive from the ministry. Therefore, there is no indication of any opposition or boycott of the exams and their correction, and the unions representing teachers are fully aware of this process and are committed to successfully completing this national educational milestone."
**In Hermel:** Also, the official intermediate certificate exams began today in three designated centers in the Hermel district: Hermel Official Secondary School, Hermel Model Secondary School, and Hermel Official Intermediate School No. 3. A number of supervising teachers and students were absent, but no other problems occurred.
**In Koura:** In parallel, intermediate certificate exams also commenced in Lebanon, with students taking the exam in four centers in the Koura district: Deddé Intermediate School, Kfarhazir Official School, Khalil Salem Official Secondary School, and Batram Official Intermediate School, where students will be tested in mathematics and Arabic language.
**In Marjayoun:** In a similar context, the official intermediate certificate exams commenced at eight in the morning today in the Marjayoun district, where students are taking the exam in two centers: the New Marjayoun Official Intermediate School and Marjayoun Official Secondary School. The director of the official intermediate school, Nahed Rashed, confirmed that "students are testing in a calm and smooth atmosphere without any student absences, and the monitors arrived on time. Today, students will be tested in mathematics and the Arabic language, with the presence of Internal Security Forces personnel at the center entrance.
**In the Beqaa:** Furthermore, the intermediate certificate exams ("Brevet") began today amid a calm security atmosphere provided by the security forces inside the centers and the Lebanese army outside. Attendance rates reached 97%, with the national education ministry establishing new centers for students in Arsal, Deir al-Ahmar, and Sarain to reduce transportation burdens. The head of the Education Directorate in Baalbek-Hermel, Hussein Abd al-Sater, confirmed that "the absenteeism rate does not exceed 3% while the exams are running smoothly on the first day amid a calm security atmosphere, along with the establishment of new centers to alleviate the transportation burdens on students and teachers based on the ministry's directives."
**In the Dhuniya:** Also, during the first day of the intermediate certificate exams in the Dhuniya, darkness prevailed in some centers due to power outages and adverse weather conditions, delaying the start of exams by more than two hours, causing students to remain outside the exam centers and in their courtyards.
**In Baalbek:** The intermediate certificate exams proceeded smoothly in Baalbek-Hermel province amid a comfortable educational atmosphere. 4,564 students were distributed over 26 centers, achieving a 97.5% attendance rate. The head of the educational area in Baalbek-Hermel, Hussein Abd al-Sater, reported that "the official exams began smoothly and comfortably for all students and teachers, with a typical absenteeism rate that is less than usual, not exceeding 2.5% in Baalbek-Hermel on the first day. The attendance of teachers at the centers was nearly complete after replacing those with medical excuses or other justifications. During our tour, we observed students' satisfaction with the difficulty level of the questions."
He added: "We have established 4 new centers in the Baalbek area to facilitate student access to exam centers, easing transportation burdens on parents and teachers based on the directives from Minister Abbas Halabi and Director-General Imad Al-Ashqar. We opened two centers in Arsal, established for the first time in the town, and designated the Deir al-Ahmar Secondary School as a new center, along with a center in the town of Sarain, easing transportation for the students."
Abd al-Sater concluded: "Regarding health protocols, we have communicated all necessary measures to the heads of the centers, providing them with sanitizers, masks, and all required supplies, emphasizing the need for adherence by both students and monitors."
**In the Chouf region:** The official exams for intermediate certificate students also commenced in the Chouf region in an incident-free atmosphere, with students distributed among eight centers: Zahrani Intermediate School, Annout Official School, Al-Mughayriya Official School, Ahmed Al-Balbal Official School - Delhun, President martyr Rafik Hariri Educational Complex in Shheem, Rmeileh Official School, Dimas - Barja School, and the Martyr Kamal Jumblatt Official Secondary School in Barja. Students were tested in mathematics and Arabic language in a secure environment, with a heavy presence of parents outside the school premises awaiting their children.
**In the South:** Ahmad Saleh, the head of the Educational District in the South Province, toured several exam centers in Sidon on the first day of the official Brevet exams, to monitor their smooth conduct and to check on the conditions of students taking their tests after a two-year disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the tour, Saleh stated: "The exams in the South were conducted smoothly and effectively without any issues, thanks to the good planning and organization by the administrative team in the educational area over the previous days to ensure the success of the official exams." He noted that "the number of students taking the Brevet exam has reached 8,291, distributed across 36 centers in the southern Lebanon governorate, including two for special cases in Sidon, one in the Nazih Al-Bizri Secondary School accommodating 24 students with special needs and another in the Al-Abbasiyeh Secondary School gathering 14 students with similar needs."
He announced that 1,427 teachers and an additional 200 general supervisors have been mobilized for this undertaking. He mentioned that "14 patrols from the Security Directorate are responsible for transporting exam papers to and from the centers." The students' impression was positive regarding the exam questions, as they aligned with the curriculum they learned while maintaining the standards of the intermediate certificate. He remarked that, up to this moment, no issues have been reported regarding late delivery of exams or opening the exam papers or commencing the exam on time.
Saleh added: "We are currently conducting a tally and recording instances of student absenteeism, if any, as we follow the developments of the exam process during our tour to address any potential gaps that may arise."
He considered "these exams a national milestone, with everyone dedicated and volunteering to ensure their success."
The 36 centers are distributed across the three governorates, with 4516 students in Sidon, 3635 candidates in 15 centers in Tyre, and one center in Jezzine accommodating 140 students, bringing the total number of students taking the tests in the South to 8,291.
The exams will continue today and next Monday after the Ministry of Education shortened the exam days from four to two due to the reduction of subjects from ten to five, allowing students the freedom to choose a subject from the following: history, geography, social studies, and another from sciences.
It is noteworthy that Saleh left Sidon headed to Tyre to continue his inspection tour in the exam centers and to ensure their smooth conduct.
**In Nabatieh:** The first phase of the official Brevet exams also commenced in 11 centers in the Nabatieh district, namely: Samih Shahin School in Nabatieh, Abdul Latif Fayyad Intermediate School in Nabatieh, Al-Sabah Official Secondary School in Nabatieh, Shoukin Official School, Kfar Rumman Official Secondary School for Girls, Zabdine Official School, Rimal Rimal Secondary School, Samir Kraker School in Nabatieh, Hassan Halal Official Secondary School in Haboush, Mifdoun Intermediate School, and Haboush Official School. Units from the Lebanese army took security measures around these centers while Internal Security Forces maintained the safety of candidates and the smooth conduct of exams within the centers.
The number of candidates reached 2,637 students, with 41 students absent. They were tested in mathematics and Arabic language. Akram Abu Shaqra, the head of the educational district in Nabatieh, inspected the exam centers in Nabatieh, met with their heads, and toured the exam rooms while listening to students.
After the tour, Abu Shaqra announced that "the exams are proceeding normally and calmly. Today’s tour was conducted at the direction of Minister of Education Abbas Halabi and Director-General Imad Al-Ashqar. From our logistical monitoring, things appear to be proceeding as planned. Electricity has been secured for all centers in cooperation with the Nabatieh governor and the municipalities where exam centers are located. We hope to complete this stage of the intermediate certificate exams to start the secondary exams early next week."
Regarding calls to cancel the intermediate certificate, he stated: "There are those who support conducting it and others who call for its cancellation. There is a division in viewpoints. Therefore, the Ministry of Education has opted for a middle ground, reducing the subjects for the intermediate certificate from nine to five, considering that the last two years have constituted periods of interruption in education and that the learning loss among our children is significant. Consequently, it is essential for children to feel the importance of undergoing a national evaluation. We did not raise the difficulty level of the questions but maintained the standard as required in the curriculum to prevent laziness. If this issue is raised later with legislative authorities or in developing educational curricula, the ministry, the educational center, and all educators will consider alternatives."
Regarding the importance of cancer children candidates participating in the exams, he said: "They face several challenges, including maintaining health, undergoing treatment, and preparing competently and responsibly. We draw strength and hope from them, and we thank Dr. Miguel Aboud and all volunteers, teachers, and staff at this center for their humanitarian, health, educational, and national message. We commend the candidates who elevate our hope for the future."
