Bac candidates in Mauritania anxiously await results
2009-07-21
Mauritanian students will learn their bac exam results next week. For some, the worry and wait is impinging on their summer vacation.
By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott – 21/07/09
 [Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud] Mauritanian students are eager for the education ministry to release their bac scores. |
Some 37,000 students across Mauritania who sat for the baccalaureate exams between June 29th and July 2nd are on pins and needles as they await news of their scores. In a country where the bac is the only key to higher education, the students' academic and professional future rides on their test results.
They aren't like to know until the end of the month. Mauritanian Education Ministry spokesman Sayed Ahmed Ould Abka said only that it would be "sometime in the last week" of July.
He did confirm, however, that "the grading process after the exams" took place "with no reported violations".
Students all over the country will have a choice of how they learn the news. Bac results will be announced on national radio, in the official gazette, on the ministry's website, through SMS services and in independent newspapers.
Mona, 20, a math student, said she was sure about her answers on the exam, but was worried about the grading. "Some graders lack concentration, perhaps because of some personal reasons. As such, students end up being the victim." Mona concluded, "I wish I could shake off those misgivings I have from time to time."
"I spend long hours watching TV serials and movies. I sometimes go out to visit my friends here in Nouakchott. I am trying to kill time and do not want to anticipate things," biology student Maryam, 19, told Magharebia.
Many of the bac students from Nouakchott and Nouadhibou headed to the interior cities to take part in the two summer festivals of Kinka in the north and Lekhrif in the east to relax and unwind, away from the bustle of big cities. However, they continue to turn to the media, their cell phones, and the internet in search of any news relating to the results.
Since no concrete date for score disclosure has been announced, many student holiday-makers feel that they cannot stray far from news sources.
Sayed Yaslam, a student of modern literature, is vacationing in Tintane. "I chose to come here, together with a group of my friends to have some fun and unwind," he told Magharebia. "But we are keeping abreast of the bac news through various means."
Parents have also expressed worry and apprehension about the future of their children.
"I am hoping my girls will pass, having intensively prepared for the exams," said A'isha. "They often stayed up late to review their lessons. I spent a good sum of money on school supplies to help them. So, if they do not pass, it will be such a loss. Their father is constantly asking about the date the results will be announced."
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Xdeii Posted 2009-07-22
Thank you for this article.
محمد محمود ولد محمدو Posted 2009-07-22
I wish success to all bac candidates.
kadiata sy Posted 2009-07-23
I think they are too slow with the results. This is increasing the stress. Personally, in order to pass the time, I went on vacation to Dakar in order to forget about it. But, in the end, this did not work! I hope that this will be done with soon.
Aissata Oumar Diallo Posted 2009-07-27
My name is Aissata. I am into the social sciences. I am very happy to have read your advice. I was so moved. I would like to know when we will have the results, because I am so nervous. I am distracted enough when I am with my friends, but when I am alone, I only think about the bac. Please, help us. -Thank you for your understanding.
هناء بنت بابا هارون Posted 2009-07-27
I want to comment about the timing for announcing results. Aren't they late? Students will go to the annex or as you say they would have forgotten everything they have studied during these weeks. I know you don't care about what I say. But this is the reality.
محمد فاضل Posted 2009-07-27
Fear of failure – some bac candidates fear failure, especially students of sciences and maths in Arabic after the ministry's decision to stop education in Arabic in order to reform new curricula. Passing rates are very low in these subjects in addition to some markers not focusing on the future of pupils to the point that some of them have terrible psychological episodes and lack concentration in the period before the announcement of results from fear of losing their future in the absence of a transparent and fair administration. Others fear, in the case they pass, not to get the opportunity to study abroad as a result of the degradation of university studies in Mauritania. In the face of all these problems, the Mauritanian student faces losses. This is also one of the causes of the problem of school dropout which is widely spread in Mauritania.
khaled ol taya Posted 2009-07-29
I am here to reassure and comfort you. The issue with the bac is perhaps unnerving, but, insomuch as we are eager to get the results and, of course, so desiring this, it is important that we do so in an atmosphere of joy and satisfaction. The results will be announced and then sent out via mass-media within minutes afterwards, and all the candidates who have been impatiently waiting will reap their reward. I wish everyone success. Good luck. Arm yourselves with patients. Do not be afraid. This is not Hell; it is just a two-hour bac exam.
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