The long-awaited moment for thousands of young learners across Bénin has finally arrived. Students who participated in the 2026 Primary Education Certificate (CEP) will discover their academic outcomes this Friday. Official deliberations are scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM, providing the final verdict for the 286,995 candidates who sat for the exams nationwide.

National participation and demographics

This year’s examination cycle, held from June 1 to June 4, saw a diverse group of participants. Out of the nearly 287,000 students, the gender breakdown includes 149,424 boys and 138,571 girls. These candidates were hosted in 860 examination centers established throughout the country’s various departments.

The 2026 session also highlighted progress in inclusive education. A total of 97 candidates with special needs, including 36 girls, completed their assessments in 13 dedicated centers. This reflects a continued effort to ensure all children in Bénin have access to formal certification.

Rising enrollment trends

Data from the Ministry of Pre-Primary and Primary Education indicates a significant uptick in participation this year. Candidate numbers rose by 5.56% compared to the previous session, showing a growing student population reaching the end of the primary cycle. The exams were officially launched earlier this month at the Gbofoly Public Primary School in the Aplahoué commune.

As the clock ticks toward the Friday morning deliberation, the atmosphere is one of intense anticipation. For these students and their families, the Bénin CEP results represent the culmination of years of hard work and the gateway to secondary education.