Lebanon's Education Ministry Opens Special Secondary School Exam Session with Strict Eligibility Requirements

Lebanon's Ministry of Education and Higher Education has unveiled the framework for a special examination session designed to award the general secondary certificate with grades. Minister Rima Karami released Circular No. 41/M/2026 detailing the eligibility criteria and procedures for this initiative, which the Cabinet approved despite the decision to waive official examinations for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The ministry restricted access to the special session to clearly defined student categories. Eligible candidates include those who failed their previous attempts, specifically those who scored below 9.5 out of 20 on their school-approved results as of March 1, 2026.

Additionally, students who successfully completed the secondary certificate examinations in the 2025 session but received an overall average lower than 12 out of 20 may also participate in the special session.

Beyond standard cases, the ministry recognized exceptional circumstances warranting participation. Students who secured university admission—whether domestically or internationally—that requires submission of a graded secondary certificate qualify for the special session. The same applies to those pursuing scholarships, provided their school average reaches at least 16 out of 20. Employment situations requiring an official secondary certificate with grades also fall within the exceptional category.

The application process demands comprehensive documentation. Schools must submit all required materials through official channels within deadlines established by the General Directorate of Education. A specialized committee will evaluate each file to ensure compliance with legal and administrative standards before forwarding recommendations to the minister for final approval.

To safeguard the integrity of the process, the ministry directed the General Directorate of Education to verify the authenticity of all school grades submitted by educational institutions. The ministry emphasized that schools bear complete responsibility for the accuracy of data and grades entered into the electronic system.

The ministry warned that legal and administrative measures will be pursued against anyone involved in submitting inaccurate information or manipulating grades. Such actions will be subject to any additional legal or disciplinary consequences that may apply.

This special session emerged following the Council of Ministers' decision to exempt secondary students from official examinations during the current academic year, instead relying on school grades for certificate issuance. The decision generated significant debate among students, families, and educational institutions.

The special examination opportunity aims to serve students requiring official credentials with grades to advance their educational pursuits abroad, access scholarships, or satisfy employment prerequisites, while maintaining rigorous oversight to prevent irregularities and ensure fair treatment across all applicants.