The Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) for 2026 has achieved the highest national pass rate since 2021. According to the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Habibatou Drammeh, 33,289 candidates registered for the exam, with females making up 59% of the total. The results show that 54.5% of candidates scored an aggregate of 42 and below, qualifying them for Senior Secondary School. This marks the first time the pass rate has crossed 50% in five years.
A total of 24,058 students, which translates to 75.66%, will transition to Senior Secondary School, the highest rate since 2021. Girls dominated the top grades, with 50 out of 76 candidates who scored a perfect aggregate 6 being girls. They also secured 293 out of 457 distinctions between aggregate 6 and 9. This represents a 26.7% increase in top-tier performance compared to 2025.
The national pass rate for female candidates was 56.4%, outperforming their male counterparts. The science pass rate also hit a record 65.1%, up from 57.3% in 2025, which is the highest since 2021. Region 5 North (CRR-North) emerged as the best-performing region with a 67% pass rate, 12.9 points above the national average, despite having only 3.3% of candidates.
Dr. Drammeh described the results as a "significant milestone," attributing the gains to reforms implemented with partners, including UNICEF and WFP. She commended teachers and parents for their role in achieving this success. The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is working on releasing 1,492 outstanding results and will strengthen its Second Chance Programme for over 24% of candidates who failed.
The 2026 GABECE results indicate a significant improvement in the education sector. The increase in the pass rate is a positive sign for the country's education system. The Ministry's efforts to improve the quality of education and provide support to students are yielding results.
The Second Chance Programme aims to provide support to students who did not pass the exam. The programme will be strengthened to ensure that these students have another opportunity to succeed. The Ministry is working to ensure that all students have access to quality education and the support they need to succeed.
The 2026 GABECE results demonstrate the progress being made in Gambia's education sector. The Ministry's commitment to improving education and the support of partners have contributed to this success. The results will help inform future education policies and programmes.
Key points
- Girls outperformed boys in the 2026 GABECE, with a national pass rate of 56.4%.
- The overall pass rate for 2026 is 54.5%, the highest since 2021.
- Region 5 North (CRR-North) emerged as the best-performing region with a 67% pass rate.
