Ouagadougou: The official launch of the 2026 Franco-Arab Primary School Leaving Certificate (CEP) session commenced on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Burkina Faso, attracting 2,707 candidates from the western region. The opening ceremony was held at the Salam Assirir 2 Medersa Center in Bobo-Dioulasso, located in the Guiriko region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Regional Director of Preschool, Primary, and Non-Formal Education for Guiriko, Comrade Soilliou Karantao, inaugurated the written examinations for the session by unsealing the first exam envelope, which contained an essay in Arabic. He was joined by Comrade Raoul Tuina, the Provincial Director of Preschool, Primary, and Non-Formal Education for Houet.

This year’s session includes 2,707 candidates, comprising 1,356 girls and 1,351 boys, distributed across 31 centers under the Union of Franco-Arab Islamic Madrasas (UMIFA). These candidates are taking part in the Franco-Arab Primary Studies Certificate in the Western zone, particularly in the regions of Guiriko and Bankuy.

Before the exams began, Comrade Karantao conveyed messages of encouragement to the candidates, urging them to approach the tests with calmness, confidence, and determination. The examination period from June 9th to 11th, 2026, will consist of nine written exams and four oral exams. Additionally, these students participated in the traditional Primary School Leaving Certificate (CEP) exam and the entrance exam for sixth grade, 2026 session.