In a heartwarming story that has captivated Senegal, a 49-year-old mother has successfully passed the 2025 baccalaureate examination alongside her daughter.
This “double success,” achieved at the Ahmadou Bamba Technical High School (LTAB) in Diourbel, central Senegal, has been hailed by Senegalese authorities as a powerful symbol of perseverance and the right to education at any age.
The mother, who is a parent of several children, returned to her studies after a break of over two decades to focus on family responsibilities. She sat for the exam as an independent candidate, taking the tests in “a shared atmosphere of mutual support and determination” with her daughter, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
Educational authorities have praised this achievement as “an inspiring example of resilience and determination.” The Ministry’s Office of the Baccalaureate noted, “This achievement, both exceptional and symbolic, reflects the strength of our education system and its ability to support ambitions at any age or stage in life.”
Dr. Abdourahmane Diouf, the Minister of Higher Education, expressed his “deep emotion and admiration” for the news. “It’s a beautiful lesson in perseverance and a reminder that education is a right for all, at any point in life,” he said.
The results for the 2025 general baccalaureate session are being released this week across Senegal. This year, a total of 166,400 candidates were registered for the exam, with over half (52.07%) coming from public schools.
ODL/te/sf/lb/abj/APA