Student’s Death Shocks Guédiawaye After Baccalaureate Exam

Dior Dieng collapsed during the session and later died, prompting grief and calls for exam stress awareness.

The community in Guédiawaye, Senegal, is mourning the loss of Dior Dieng, a student at the private Académia Limamoulaye courses. She tragically passed away after experiencing discomfort during her baccalaureate exam, leaving behind a wave of sadness and questions about academic pressure.

Details of the Incident

Contrary to initial reports, Dior Dieng did not die in the examination room. According to officials at the CEM Ndarka Diagne jury, Dior, the sole representative from her school, fell ill around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2. She was immediately transported to Dalal Jamm hospital and admitted to the emergency department. However, she died on Thursday night after struggling against her condition.

According to the American Psychological Association, “stress during exams can impair cognitive function and academic performance,” highlighting the importance of managing pressure during crucial assessments.

Remembering Dior Dieng

Affectionately known as “baby Dior,” the 21-year-old was the eldest sibling and considered a role model. Her father emotionally recalled their last moments: “The day before the bac, she asked me to pray for her. And in the morning, after the prayer of dawn, she came to say goodbye. She was pious, serious and respect for her parents,” he told *Observer*.

The Lycée Seydina Limamou Laye, where she previously studied, and Académia Limamoulaye, expressed their sorrow, remembering her as “brilliant, smiling, respectful and appreciated by all.”

Outpouring of Grief

Social media platforms were flooded with messages of condolence, using the hashtag #Ripdiordieng. Classmates, educators, neighbors, and others shared memories of a dedicated, humble, and discreet young woman with a promising future.

A Mother’s Grief and Warning

At their home in the Park of Médina Gounass, Dior‘s mother, Aminata Diene, struggled to contain her grief. “She suffered from no disease. That day, she complained of anything. It was around 6 p.m., not seeing her come back, that a man on a motorcycle came to tell me that she had made a discomfort. I ran to Dalal Jamm, but I was prevented from seeing her immediately. It was only around 3 a.m. that I was asked to return. It was the next evening that we told us his death, which occurred the day before at 11 p.m. … “

Aminata Diene also shared that she had noticed signs of exhaustion in her daughter, including headaches and a lack of appetite. “She had a headache, she hadn’t eaten. On the evening of the first day of the tests, I gave him porridge, milk and paracetamol. She rested for a moment and then resumed her revisions. She had put herself a huge pressure to succeed,” she said.

Relatives noted Dior‘s physical transformation in the weeks before the exam: weight loss, fatigue, and insomnia. She had pushed herself too hard, neglecting her body’s warning signals.

In a heartfelt plea, Dior‘s mother urged families: “Do not put too much pressure on children in the exam class. Make them understand that health comes first. My daughter wanted to succeed, but the body did not hold.”

Academic figures and members of civil society have offered their condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the repose of Dior Dieng‘s soul.

Although a light has gone out in Guédiawaye, Dior Dieng‘s brilliance and determination will continue to inspire those who knew her.