Algeria's Minister of National Education, Mohamed Ouadjaout, announced on Sunday that candidates who obtained an average score of 9/20 or higher in the 2020 Baccalauréat exam will be admitted "on an exceptional basis". This decision was made in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the education sector. The minister made the announcement at a press conference at the ministry's headquarters.
The decision complements the provisions of the decree No. 25 of October 2, 2007, which sets the modalities for organizing the Baccalauréat exam. The decree was modified by Article 23 bis, which allows for exceptional admission criteria in extraordinary circumstances. According to the minister, this decision aims to provide students with a fair chance of success despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of exceptional measures for the 2020 academic year. These measures included the cancellation of the primary school leaving exam, the postponement of the middle school and Baccalauréat exams to September 2020, and the limitation of exam subjects to those covered in the first and second trimesters. The minister emphasized that these measures aimed to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on students' academic performance.
The minister highlighted the psychological pressure and unprecedented challenges faced by students due to the pandemic, including confinement, disruption of schooling, and difficult health conditions. He stressed that the exceptional admission criteria were designed to give students a chance to succeed in their academic pursuits despite these challenges. The minister expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the exams.
A total of 637,538 candidates registered for the 2020 Baccalauréat exam, including 413,870 enrolled students and 223,668 free candidates. The exams were administered across 2,261 centers, with 192,300 teachers involved. The correction process involved 48,000 correctors and 81 correction centers, with 18 composting centers.
The minister announced that the results of the 2020 Baccalauréat exam will be announced soon, following the deliberation process. He wished success and fulfillment to all candidates. The exceptional admission criteria for the Baccalauréat exam reflect the Algerian government's efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the education sector.
The Algerian government's response to the pandemic has been multifaceted, involving various sectors and institutions. The minister acknowledged the contributions of the education community, parents, associations, and unions in ensuring the success of the exams. The exceptional admission criteria for the Baccalauréat exam are part of a broader effort to support students and ensure their academic success.
Key points
- Algeria's Education Minister sets 9/20 average as threshold for Baccalauréat admission in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic
- A total of 637,538 candidates registered for the 2020 Baccalauréat exam
- The results of the 2020 Baccalauréat exam will be announced soon, following the deliberation process
