The system of Independent External Assessment fell short and, in order not to finally lose the quality of education, Ukrainian higher education establishments should return to the practice of entrance examinations.
This was said by the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ihor Kalyetnik.
According to him, the system of education that existed previously was more effective, since “preparation for entrance examinations induced youth to obtain deep knowledge in a specific profession, instead of searching the Internet in quest of answers to the tests and then trying to learn them by heart”.
“There are specialties to enter which you need to pass tests in one and the same discipline. For example, to enter agrarian and medical specialties it is required to pass a test in biology,” I. Kalyetnik said.
“Thus, in case a person submitted documents for both specialties and having enough grades, the majority of school leavers would choose medicine. It means that it is not crucial for youth who to become in the future, irrespective of the fact that these professions are absolutely different,” the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized.
Ihor Kalyetnik noted that the system of Independent External Assessment requires correction, for introduction of Independent External Assessment aimed at ensuring equal possibilities for all school graduates when entering higher educational establishments. However, it did not happen.
“Only 20 per cent of pupils support the existing system of Independent External Assessment. While 80 per cent are totally against such testing. Difficulty of questions and ambiguity of answers to them are among the most widespread pupils’ complaints. That is why not all of them, even getting high grades during the academic year, successfully pass Independent External Assessment,” Ihor Kalyetnik said.
He added that, quite often, holding of Independent External Assessment in the rural area causes unnecessary expenses for the prospective students.
“To pass tests in specialized subjects, like physics or biology, pupils from village have to go to different regional centers. It only causes additional inconveniences and requires additional material expenses,” the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada stressed.
Such an important issue as functioning of the Independent External Assessment system should have been discussed at high level to form legislative documents, Ihor Kalyetnik emphasized.
“In this respect, me, as the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine jointly with the people’s deputy, member of the Communist Party of Ukraine, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Science and Education Oleksandr Zubchevskyi shall initiate discussion of this issue with the public, particularly with heads of schools and colleges, as well as university administration to find an optimal decision, and taking into account ideas of experts in education. Following discussion, the abovementioned issue would be worth making a subject of parliamentary hearings, for qualitative education is the future of Ukraine,” the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stated.