The test papers for this year’s Baccalaureate exams contained particular errors, deputy minister of education Lilia Pogolsa admitted in the July 20 hearings held in Parliament. An assessment commission of the Ministry of Education identified items that included improper language or didn’t have all the possible responses. After examining the physics items, the commission ascertained that points 7 and 9 of the tests for exact sciences and point 8 of the tests for humanities were formulated incorrectly because of the inaccurate translation from Russian into Romanian, Lilia Pogolsa stated.
“The Ministry of Education is to take a decision as to these tests. They could be reassessed, but only the given items. It’s regrettable that considerable mistakes were committed. The Ministry will take measures for such things not to repeat,” said the deputy minister.
Valeriu Ghiletski, head of the European People’s Group in Parliament, noted the whole education system needs to be reassessed. In replay, the deputy minister said alternative reduction programs have been introduced during the past few years and such programs will be piloted in 16 education institutions as of September 1, 2017.
Asked how a perfect Baccalaureate exam should look like, Lilia Pogolsa said it would be perfect for the graduates to be satisfied with the grades they get, depending on their knowledge. There should be worked out regulations concerning the activity of assessors, the assessment conditions, etc.
Socialist MP Vlad Batrancea expressed his concern about the large number of students who failed the Baccalaureate exams during the last three years. He said the exams should be adjusted to the conditions in Moldova or the universities will remain without students.
Democratic MP Elena Gudumac said the Baccalaureate exam in physics showed the irresponsibility of those who compiled the tests. These persons should resign and the tests in physics should be reassessed as a matter of urgency.
The main Baccalaureate session 2017 involved 18,700 candidates. Over 4,000 candidates are taking part in the additional session held during July 12-24.
