Abdellatif Baba Ahmed: « 2013 Baccalaureate results are below required level »

The laureates of the 2013 session of the Baccalaureate exam in Algeria were extended awards by Prime Minister, Abdel Malek Sellal, during a ceremony organized at the People’s Palace on Monday in Algiers.

The award-giving ceremony was held in the presence of senior state officials, government members and parents of the successful candidates.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister handed in medals to the three first laureates, including Afaf Fatima-ZohraBoukassri from Mascara province, who secured an average mark of 18.45/20 in the experimental sciences branch, followed by HadjaChaâlal (Tissemsilt province) with an average mark of 18.28/20 in the Mathematics branch and in third spot TasâaditBendaoud (Setif province) who obtained an average mark of 18.15/20 in the branch of experimental sciences.

Mr. Sellal also awarded symbolic gifts to the other laureates notably those from the category of the disabled.

In addition to the presents offered on this occasion, these successful candidates will also benefit from tourist travels overseas.

In a speech made on this occasion, the national education Minister, Abdellatif Baba Ahmed, said that the success rate of the 2013 Baccalaureate session had witnessed a slump compared to the previous year, (44.78% in 2013 against 58.84% in 2012).

He explained that the results registered during this year’s session would be the object of an appropriate study and analysis by the relevant education authorities.

The national success rate was set this year at 44.78 percent, that is 171.397 laureates with 5 candidates having passed the exam with an “Excellent” distinction, while those with a “Very Good” distinction reached 1.214 and the number of candidates having secured a “Good” distinction attained 9.921.

At the national level, the province of Tizi-Ouzou, in eastern Algeria, is on top of the roster with an overallsuccess rate of 60.95 per cent.