Low pass rate for baccalaureate exams in Morocco

22/06/2007

The pass rate for this year’s first round of baccalaureate exams was 39.1%. Some 87,000 students, more than half of them girls, were successful. Science and technology subjects saw the highest success rates.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 22/06/07

[Sarah Touahri] 118,767 candidates will take part in the additional round of exams to be held July 5th.

Emotions ran high in Moroccan schools when the results of this year's first round of baccalaureate exams were announced on Wednesday (June 20th). The overall pass rate was 39.1%, up by 1.1% from last year.

This year’s baccalaureate exams saw some new initiatives to improve standards and raise the credibility of the qualification.

For some there was relief, while others were unhappy with their poor results. "I’m very happy, but at the same time I’m sorry for the people who didn’t pass. Anyway, they’ve still got another chance in two weeks’ time," student Sarah Bakkali said.

A total of 86,994 candidates passed. More than half of them are girls. "Boys and girls did more or less equally well," a Ministry of Education statement said. "Girls have done better than ever."

Science and technology subjects saw the highest pass rate of 46.7%, up by 5% on the same round of exams last year. Arts subjects continued to see the lowest pass rates, with only 30.3% of candidates making the grade.

This is not the end of the road for students who failed. Another round of exams on July 5th will give 118,767 students another chance. Ministry officials are expecting the overall percentage of successful students to rise considerably after the additional round since the number of candidates sitting the second session corresponds to half of those who sat the first.

The 25,460 independent candidates scored lower than average, with a pass rate of 15.2%.

The final results of the exams will be published on July 15th, immediately after examiners conclude their deliberations.

Many candidates who passed thought that some exams were too difficult or too lengthy for the time given to complete them. Although she managed to pass her exams, Rihab Souri told Magharebia that the length of time allowed for science exams was insufficient to enable candidates to obtain good results.

Teacher Jamal Salimi believes that although pass rates are still low, the results so far are a major improvement over last year. Some teachers criticise students’ lack of ability, which they believe is the reason why many candidates are unable to access higher education. "If the pass rates are still low, it’s because they reflect the true abilities of candidates. The exams are there to ensure that the better students get through," said Arabic teacher Jawad Hatit.