Twelve examination centers across Bénin will host candidates for the 6th-grade entrance competition for the Prytanée Militaire de Bembèrèkè and the Lycée Militaire de Jeunes Filles on Thursday, July 23, 2026. This significant annual event marks a key step for young students aspiring to military education. This announcement comes from a press release issued by the General Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces on July 16, 2026, providing essential details for candidates and their families. The competition's preliminary filtering process is designed to identify the most promising students, limiting eligibility to the fifty best students per department and sex, based on their results in the Certificat d'Études Primaires (CEP) examination. This rigorous selection ensures that only top academic achievers are considered for these prestigious institutions.
Eligibility and Application Details
Only students ranked among the top fifty by sex and by department in the 2026 Certificat d’Etudes Primaires (CEP) session are eligible to sit for the examination. This strict criterion shows the competitive nature of entry into the military schools. Parents of eligible candidates can verify their child's ranking at several key administrative locations. These include the Departmental Directorates of Maternal and Primary Education, the Departmental Directorates of the Republican Police, and the Directorate of Schools and Sports of the General Staff. These verification points are established to ensure transparency and accessibility for all concerned families. Candidates must present a national identity card or a school ID to be admitted to the exam hall, a mandatory requirement to confirm their identity and eligibility on the day of the test. For the July 23, 2026, exam, candidates from Plateau department will attend the Ecole Urbaine Centre of Pobè, one of the specifically designated examination sites.
Nationwide Examination Centers
Each department of the country has a single designated examination site for the military school entrance competition, streamlining logistics and ensuring equitable access across Bénin. In Atacora, examinations will occur at the Ecole Urbaine Centre of Natitingou. Candidates from Donga will be hosted at the Ecole Urbaine Centre of Djougou I. For Borgou, the Complexe Scolaire de Wansirou, located in Parakou, has been chosen as the examination venue. The Ecole Urbaine Centre of Kandi will serve as the examination center for candidates from Alibori.
For Zou, the Ecole Primaire Publique Ghezo Yeme of Abomey is the specified location, providing a central point for candidates from that department. Candidates from Collines will report to the Ecole Urbaine Centre of Dassa-Zoumè. The Complexe Scolaire Guinkomey in Lokossa will host candidates from Mono, ensuring that students in this region have a convenient testing site. Those from Couffo will attend the Ecole Urbaine Centre of Aplahoué. In Atlantique, the selected center is the Ecole Urbaine Centre of Allada. Littoral province candidates will take their exams at the Ecole primaire publique Gbégamey Sud in Cotonou, accommodating the high population density of the area. The Ecole Urbaine Centre of Porto-Novo will serve candidates from Ouémé, completing the list of the twelve nationwide centers.
Historical Context of Military Schools
The Prytanée Militaire de Bembèrèkè, situated in the Borgou department, has provided training to young individuals referred to as 'Enfants de Troupe' since its establishment in the 1970s. This institution has served as a foundational military school for decades, nurturing future leaders and contributing significantly to the nation's defense capabilities. Its curriculum focuses on both academic excellence and military discipline, preparing students for various career paths. Later, the Lycée Militaire de Jeunes Filles was opened. This expansion aimed to extend access to the same rigorous curriculum to female students, creating a parallel educational pathway for girls interested in military schooling. The introduction of the Lycée Militaire de Jeunes Filles allowed for a broader inclusion of students in the military education system, reflecting a commitment to gender equality in educational opportunities within the armed forces. Both institutions are highly regarded for their demanding academic programs and character-building environments.
