BEIRUT: Intermediate school students started Tuesday the first day of four-day state exams which will determine whether they are admitted into secondary school next year.

“News saying that there will be no second round this year for failing students is false,” said Minister of Education Hassan Diab during his visit to several public schools this morning.

Students and their parents gathered in front of official exam centers during the early morning hours as Internal Security Forces personnel, tasked with maintaining security and order outside centers, inspected candidates’ identity cards before allowing them to enter.

Official exams for Grade 12 are scheduled for next week and the week after.