Accommodating candidates with special needs took center stage during the national follow-up conference for the 2026 baccalaureate, chaired on Monday by the Minister of National Education, Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui. Connected via videoconference, regional education directors were ordered to ensure that all students, particularly those with disabilities, sit for their examinations under optimal conditions.
During the briefing, which focused on assessing the rollout of the second day of the baccalaureate exams, the minister emphasized the urgency of providing tailored support to vulnerable candidates. Specifically, he mandated that modified exam papers matching each type of disability be correctly distributed, and that braille versions remain fully available for visually impaired students.
For the sector’s top official, this group of students must receive every necessary accommodation to test on an equal footing, upholding the core principles of equal opportunity championed by the Algerian school system.
The session, attended by central administration executives and the general secretary of the National Office of Examinations and Contests (ONEC), also served to establish an initial assessment of the examination process across the country’s various provinces.
On this occasion, Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui expressed his gratitude to the education directors, teaching and administrative staff, exam center coordinators, and all personnel mobilized to ensure the success of this major national milestone.
The minister commended the vigilance, mobilization, and discipline demonstrated by the various field actors during the opening day of testing. He noted that the recorded outcomes reflect the collective efforts made by all partners involved in managing the baccalaureate. While expressing his satisfaction, he called for maintaining this level of engagement throughout the remaining days of testing to preserve the favorable environment observed since the launch.
Among the strategic measures highlighted during the conference was the rigorous enforcement of the new protocol regarding the early opening of examination centers before student arrival.
The minister instructed education directors to maintain constant communication with center coordinators to guarantee strict adherence to this rule. Consequently, centers must open their doors at 7:15 AM for morning sessions and at 1:45 PM for afternoon sessions.
This regulation aims to streamline student admission, prevent crowding outside the facilities, and allow candidates to enter their examination rooms calmly.
Dedicated Spaces for Intermission Breaks
The minister also underscored the importance of managing candidates during the intervals between different tests. To this end, he requested local administrators to utilize neighboring school facilities, opened specifically to shelter students during breaks. The goal is to offer them suitable environments to rest, eat, or study in a quiet and secure setting. According to the ministry, these adjustments help enhance the psychological and logistical conditions for students, allowing them to approach each subsequent test with greater peace of mind.
Beyond the students, the minister urged exam center administrations to provide effective support for the supervisors mobilized for this baccalaureate session.
He highlighted the necessity of monitoring the conditions under which these staff members perform their duties, recalling the decisive role they play in the smooth operation of the exams.
The issue of safeguarding the baccalaureate also held a prominent place during this review meeting. Mohamed Seghir Saadaoui reiterated his directives concerning the absolute ban on bringing mobile phones or any other communication devices into exam centers, applying equally to candidates and all mobilized staff or agents. He urged the responsible officials to show firmness in enforcing these regulations and to further elevate vigilance levels to thwart any cheating attempts that could compromise the integrity of the examination.
Finally, the minister reminded officials that the central monitoring unit established at the ministry level remains operational 24 hours a day to rapidly address any complications or concerns reported from exam centers. He once again praised the efforts of all participating stakeholders and reaffirmed the need for continued coordination among different actors to guarantee the success of the 2026 baccalaureate across the entire national territory.