By: Fatou Krubally
The 2026 Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) has recorded a national pass rate of 54.5%, with 16,964 candidates qualifying for placement in senior secondary schools, according to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE).
The results, released by the Ministry, showed an increase in the number of qualified candidates from 15,607 in 2025 to 16,964 this year, representing an increase of 1,357 candidates.
A total of 33,289 candidates registered for the 2026 examination, comprising 19,923 females and 13,366 males. The Ministry said results for 31,797 candidates, representing 95.52% of registered candidates, have been processed.
The remaining 1,492 results are outstanding, while 171 of those outstanding results have been withheld over reported examination irregularities.
The ministry also reported improvement in the highest-performing category. A total of 457 candidates obtained aggregate scores between 6 and 9, compared to 376 candidates in 2025.
Of these, 76 candidates recorded an Aggregate 6, up from 60 last year, representing a 26.7% increase.
Science performance also recorded an improvement, with the national pass rate rising to 65.1% from 57.3% in 2025.
Female candidates accounted for a larger share of the top-performing group. The Ministry said females represented 50 of the 76 candidates who obtained Aggregate 6, equivalent to 65.8%. They also accounted for 293 of the 457 candidates in the Aggregate 6–9 category.
The ministry said 24,058 candidates, or 75.66%, obtained passing grades across their subject combinations. This figure includes candidates in the Aggregate 6–9, Aggregate 10–42 and Aggregate 43–48 categories.
However, 7,910 candidates, representing 24.88% of processed results, fell within the Aggregate 49–54 category classified as unsatisfactory.
The results also showed differences in performance across the regions. Region 5 North recorded the highest overall pass rate at 67.4%, while Region 5 South recorded the lowest at 47.7%.
Region 2 East followed with a 59.1% pass rate, while Region 1 recorded 55.3% and Region 4 55.1%. Region 3 registered 53.0%, while Region 6 recorded 50.8%.
The ministry said the 2026 results reflect continued progress in basic education and attributed the improvement to curriculum support, teacher training and investment in educational infrastructure.
MoBSE expressed appreciation to teachers, school administrators, parents, students and the government for their contribution to the examination outcomes.
The ministry says it remains focused on sustaining academic quality and expanding access to education nationwide.