MWE Correspondent
A total of 133,655 candidates are set to sit for a major nationwide advanced secondary education examination beginning May 4, 2026, in a large-scale academic exercise spanning multiple regions across the country, alongside thousands of teacher training candidates.
The examination period will also include 14,679 teacher training students, marking one of the most significant coordinated assessment events in the education calendar this year. Authorities say all preparations have been completed, with logistical systems, examination materials, and centre coordination fully finalized ahead of the commencement date.
The national examinations authority confirmed that the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination will be conducted across 1,068 secondary schools and 226 centres for private candidates. Teacher training examinations will take place in 104 colleges nationwide, reflecting the broad scope of the academic evaluation system.
Of the total secondary education candidates, 126,578 are school candidates while 7,077 are private candidates. Gender distribution among school candidates remains relatively balanced, with 64,187 male candidates representing 50.71 percent and 62,391 female candidates accounting for 49.29 percent.
Education officials also highlighted the inclusion of candidates with special needs, totaling 214 across the country. This group includes 178 candidates with low vision, 18 who are blind, five with hearing impairments, and 13 with physical disabilities. Examination authorities say tailored arrangements have been made to ensure accessibility and fairness during the assessment process.
Among private candidates, 4,259 are male (60.18 percent) and 2,818 are female (39.82 percent). Within this category, 15 candidates have special needs, including 14 with low vision and one who is blind, underscoring ongoing efforts to promote inclusive education.
Teacher training examinations will assess candidates under both revised and legacy curricula. Under the updated curriculum framework, 12,789 diploma candidates are expected to sit for their final assessments, reflecting ongoing reforms aimed at improving the quality and relevance of teacher education.
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Officials overseeing the examinations emphasized that the system is fully prepared to manage the nationwide exercise, with strict measures in place to ensure integrity, fairness, and transparency. Examination materials have been securely distributed, and monitoring teams have been deployed across centres.
Education experts note that the scale of this year’s examinations reflects expanding access to secondary and tertiary education, as well as growing participation across gender and social groups. The balanced representation of male and female candidates has been highlighted as a positive indicator of progress toward educational equity.
The examinations also serve as a key benchmark for assessing academic performance and education system effectiveness, influencing future policy decisions and curriculum development strategies. Results from the exercise are expected to shape higher education admissions and teacher deployment in the coming academic cycle.
As candidates prepare to begin their examinations, authorities have urged discipline and adherence to examination regulations, stressing that maintaining credibility in national assessments remains essential for sustaining public confidence in the education system.
With thousands of examination centres activated and nationwide coordination underway, the upcoming assessment period represents a defining academic moment for students and educators alike, carrying significant implications for future academic and professional pathways.
