The Lebanese Council of Ministers announced on Thursday the cancellation of official final examinations for secondary and technical students for the 2025–2026 academic year. According to Minister of Education Rima Karami, the decision stems from the ongoing military conflict in Southern Lebanon. Students will instead receive certificates based on school-based performance, provided they maintained a minimum grade average of 9.5 as of March 1, 2026.
How will students receive their credentials?
The Ministry of Education and Higher Education will issue certificates of success based on internal school records for students enrolled in the Lebanese curriculum. This policy applies to third-year secondary students across all four academic branches and final-year technical baccalaureate students. According to Minister Karami, this measure ensures that students can progress academically despite the disruptions caused by the regional security situation. Students who do not meet the 9.5 grade threshold or those requiring official exam scores for university admissions or professional certification will have an alternative path.
Who is eligible for the special examination session?
A special, one-time examination session is scheduled to begin on July 21, 2026. Official government records specify that this session is limited to three categories of students. First, private candidates who are not enrolled in traditional school systems. Second, students currently failing their school-based assessments as of March 1, 2026, who need to improve their standing. Third, high-achieving students who require official, graded exam results to secure international scholarships or specific professional positions that mandate standardized documentation.
Why did the government bypass traditional exams?
The decision to waive standard testing reflects a shift toward prioritizing student safety and systemic continuity during military conflict. Minister Karami noted that while the Ministry remained logistically prepared to conduct exams, the current security reality necessitated a more flexible approach. This move aims to balance the need for academic certification with the principle of equal opportunity. By utilizing school-based grades, the Ministry intends to mitigate the impact of the conflict on the 2026 graduating class, preventing students from paying the “price of circumstances they did not choose,” according to the Minister’s public statement.
Future trends in emergency education policy
Lebanon’s move toward school-based assessments mirrors global trends in “crisis-responsive education.” When national infrastructure is compromised, educational authorities increasingly lean on continuous assessment models rather than high-stakes, centralized testing. This shift often forces a long-term re-evaluation of how education ministries verify student competence. As seen in previous regional disruptions, this reliance on internal grading often leads to a subsequent increase in university-level entrance exams, as higher education institutions seek to standardize their own incoming applicant pools independent of national secondary results.
Continuous assessment models, like the one being implemented in Lebanon, are often favored by international aid organizations such as UNESCO during humanitarian crises, as they reduce the need for mass gatherings of students in potentially unsafe environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the minimum grade required for the automatic certificate?
Students must have maintained a minimum average of 9.5 as of March 1, 2026, to qualify for the certificate based on school performance. - Are private candidates eligible for the July 21 exams?
Yes, private candidates are one of the three groups explicitly permitted to register for the special session. - Does this decision affect technical baccalaureate students?
Yes, the decree covers both general secondary students and technical baccalaureate students across all branches.
Have questions about your specific academic status or the registration process for the July 21 session? Contact your local school administration or visit the official Ministry of Education and Higher Education website for the most recent updates on procedural requirements.
