Sudden increases in baccalaureate fees anger candidates and parents

The sudden decision to lift registration rights for the baccalaureate exam sparked a widespread wave of anger among parents and students, who considered the increases an additional burden on Algerian families in light of the high cost of living and difficult economic conditions, demanding urgent intervention from the Ministry of National Education to cancel this decision, which they described as “arbitrary and ill-considered.”

The decision to increase registration rights for the baccalaureate exam came as a shock to Algerian families, especially those suffering from financial hardship. After a full academic year of sacrifices and expenses, parents find themselves facing an additional financial burden that was not taken into account, in the absence of any guarantees for their children’s success.

“Kandal” criticizes the doubling of registration fees and demands an increase in framing fees

In this regard, Yazid Bouanane, in charge of information at the Independent National Council of Secondary School Directors (CNADL), confirmed that students, independent candidates for the baccalaureate degree, and their parents were surprised this year by the doubling of registration rights and fees for this fateful exam, as they ranged for the first time between 3,000 DZD, 5,000 DZD, 10,000 DZD, and 15,000 DZD, reaching in some cases 20,000 DZD, according to The status of the candidate and the number of times he applied for registration. He pointed out that these increases came without the ministry providing any convincing explanations.

Bouanane explained that the possible reasons for this increase may be due to the increase in the costs of paper and logistical means, in addition to the Ministry’s efforts to reduce the phenomenon of large absences among independent candidates on exam days, as the percentage of absences in some centers exceeds 25 percent, and they often content themselves with registering without attending the exams, benefiting at the same time from a week of absence, especially since a large number of them are employees in different sectors.

The spokesman added that regardless of the motives that made the ministry raise the value of fees, it should have provided official clarifications to educational and national public opinion, especially since this decision came suddenly, which sparked widespread discussions and conflicting positions among the candidates and their guardians.

Bouanane pointed out that what is most surprising is that these increases in registration fees were not accompanied by a review of the baccalaureate exam preparation fees, despite the verbal promises made by the ministry to representatives of the union. The head of the procedure center still receives only between 700 DZD and 900 DZD per day, which is very small amounts considering the heavy responsibilities he bears over the course of 12 days or more. In the end, the full financial fee does not exceed about 5,000 DZD per day.

The CNADL union renewed its demand for the necessity of doubling the baccalaureate supervision fees to reach 9,000 DZD per day, or at least granting the head of the center compensation equivalent to a full monthly wage, considering that the tasks he undertakes of preparation, follow-up and supervision exceed in their volume a work that extends for an entire month.

Bouanane concluded by stressing that these demands have become more legitimate in light of the availability of additional financial resources resulting from the double increases in registration fees, in addition to the budget that the state allocates annually to the National Bureau of Examinations and Competitions as a public institution. He expressed his hope that these concerns would find listening ears among Ministry and Bureau officials to achieve fairness for workers in the field and make national exams successful under the best conditions.

Standard fees of up to 20,000 DZD for independent candidates

The National Bureau for Examinations and Competitions announced the official method for paying registration fees for the baccalaureate exam for the 2026 session for independent candidates, after completing the electronic registration process through the website designated for that purpose.

The Diwan confirmed that payment of registration rights is made exclusively via the Algeria Post gold cash card through the electronic payment platform of the National Education Sector. The candidate logs into the website using the username and password found in the electronic form drawn after registration. The Bureau stressed that any other means of payment is considered unacceptable.

In the event that the candidate does not have a gold card, the Bureau indicated the possibility of seeking the help of another person, such as a guardian, to carry out the payment process, with the necessity of respecting the official steps and confirming the information before completing the process. Once payment is made, the candidate will receive an electronic receipt that is considered proof of payment of the rights, and the accuracy of the data recorded in it must be verified and kept until the date of the exam.

The Bureau warned of the need to ensure that the form is correct and free of errors before starting the payment process, because any error may lead to incorrect registration of rights.

Registration rights for the baccalaureate exam for the 2026 session are determined according to the candidate’s status and the number of previous attempts, as the National Bureau of Examinations and Competitions set the value of fees for those who do not hold a baccalaureate degree at 3,000 dinars for the first or second time, 5,000 dinars for the third time, 10,000 dinars for the fourth time, and 20,000 dinars for the fifth time or more. As for candidates who have previously obtained a baccalaureate degree, fees have been set at 5,000 dinars for the second time, 10,000 dinars for the third time, and 20,000 dinars for the fourth time or more.