As Haiti gears up for one of its most significant annual educational assessments, national education officials have formally confirmed that the 2026 first-round D-2 State Exams — covering 9th-year fundamental education (9th AFAF), Family Education Centers (CEF), and Kindergarten Teacher Training Colleges (ENIJE) — will proceed as scheduled from June 29 to July 2, 2026. The announcement was made during a June 26 press conference led by Minister of National Education Vijonet Déméro, with senior ministry staff, security representatives, and education sector stakeholders in attendance.
In total, the Haitian Ministry of National Education expects 189,849 candidates to sit for the assessments across the country’s 10 Departmental Directorates of Education. Minister Déméro opened the conference by acknowledging the collaborative work of education personnel and cross-sector partners that has enabled full preparation for the exam cycle, offering reassurance to candidates, parents, and the broader education community that all logistical and operational arrangements are complete.
To support candidates and on-site staff throughout the four-day exam period, the ministry has partnered with the National Program for School Canteens (PNCS) to provide free hot meals during break times at all exam centers. Beyond basic amenities, the government has coordinated closely with multiple state institutions to guarantee security and operational stability, noted Ministry Director General Professor Osny Jean Marie. Key collaborating agencies include the Haitian national justice system, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), and the Haitian National Police (PNH), all of which have deployed personnel to monitor exam sites and address any potential disruptions.
Professor Jean Marie issued clear guidance to candidates ahead of the exams, urging all participants to approach their assessments with calm, discipline, and confidence while strictly adhering to longstanding exam rules. Prohibited items and actions include plagiarism, unauthorized weapons on exam center grounds, personal cell phones, and programmable calculators. Any candidate found engaging in cheating will face immediate disqualification and a two-year waiting period before they are eligible to retake the exams. He also emphasized that no individual will be granted access to an exam center without formal authorization from senior ministry leadership, closing his remarks by wishing all participants success.
On the academic content of the assessments, Kendy Nicolas, Director of Fundamental Education (DEF), and Claudin St-Jour, Director of Training and Professional Development (DFP), confirmed that all exam questions are aligned directly with Haiti’s official national curriculum, drawing exclusively on content covered in regular classroom instruction.
Security leaders reinforced their institutions’ commitments to keeping candidates and staff safe during the exam cycle. Lieutenant-Colonel Rosevald Boucard of FAd’H and Divisional Commissioner Xavier Séide, Departmental Director of West 2 for PNH, outlined the coordinated security deployments that will be in place across all exam sites.
Health and wellness support has also been integrated into exam planning, in partnership with the Mobile First Aid Unit/Motorized Emergency Medical Service (UMPS-SUMMOC). Under directives from the Ministry’s School Health Directorate, on-site medical and psychological support will be available for any candidate who requires assistance during the exam period.
New statistics released by Gérald Bélizaire, Director of the National Bureau of State Examinations (BUNEXE), break down the 2026 candidate pool by group and demographic. Of the total 189,849 candidates, girls make up 53.46% of participants, while boys account for the remaining 46.54%. The vast majority of candidates — 186,748 in total — are registered for 9th-year fundamental education exams, with 2,572 candidates seeking qualification from teacher and kindergarten teacher training colleges, and 529 candidates affiliated with Family Education Centers.
The 186,74 9th AF candidates hail from 7,530 schools spread across Haiti’s 100 school districts, and will be seated across 817 exam centers, utilizing a total of 6,641 individual classrooms for the assessments. A full detailed calendar and schedule for 9th Grade AF exams is available via the official Ici Haiti website.