Every day, 18-year-old Raneem Khalifa braved shelling on her route from Kfar Hamam near Israel’s border to Nabatieh for her exams. Her goal was simple yet daunting: to reach the exam center safely and return home unharmed.
Despite her town’s daily struggles with shelling and the destruction of her family’s homes, Raneem remained resolute in pursuing her Technical Baccalaureate (BT) certificate.
She faced constant power and internet cuts, displacement, and a lack of textbooks.
Her determination to take exams rather than accept diplomas without testing reflects her strong belief: “We've sacrificed too much for everyone to get diplomas easily.”
Khalifa, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, highlighted the tough mental strain southern students face.
Lebanon began vocational and technical exams on June 21, with General Secondary exams starting this Saturday.
Despite calls to cancel, Education Minister Abbas Halabi insisted on holding exams nationwide.
Halabi announced buses secured by the ministry to safely transport General Secondary students from tense areas to exam centers, guarded by Lebanese forces and UN peacekeepers known as UNIFIL.
The measure starts Saturday for students preparing for exams.
Security sources welcomed the move, expecting it to ease student stress and ensure safe transit to exam centers from their homes.
Around 43,000 students, including 2,000 in shelling-prone areas, are set to sit for General Secondary exams.
Education Ministry sources assure that all exam centers are safely located outside combat zones, ensuring security.
An Israeli military strike targeted a building in Nabatieh housing exam centers late Wednesday, sparking tensions in Lebanon. Lebanese sources said Hezbollah has reduced military activities this week to ensure student safety for exams.
“If security authorities deem it unsafe for exams in the south, we'll cancel. Safety comes first,” said Halabi.
Responding to concerns about student safety in the south, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said: “All exam centers in the south are operating normally, with only a one percent absentee rate. This shows the resilience of southern residents staying on their land.”
High school seniors are gearing up for exams this Saturday, with many concerned about their mental state affecting their performance.
