Skopje, 5 July 2024 (MIA) - Director of the State Examination Center, Biljana Mihajlovska, told a press conference on Friday that this year's average grade at the state high school graduation examination is 3.25, pointing out that although lower than previous years it is still excellent in terms of objectivity.  

She noted that last year's grade was 3.65, in 2022 it was 3.78, and in 2021 it was 3.61. This, she added, according to the State Examination Center as the competent institution for implementing the process, is the result of the strict measures taken during the examination.

"A total of 14,834 registered candidates took the mandatory external exam in native language on June 1, while the optional subject was taken on June 8, and the examination was conducted in the halls and gyms of the schools, to enable observers greater transparency and control," said Mihajlovska.  

According to the results, 49 high school students were found to have used a mobile phone while taking the tests, while four were caught cheating. In evaluating the tests, the evaluators detected 175 students who copied answers, as well as 22 cases of plagiarism. In addition, 268 students whose exam has been invalidated will be able to take it again in the August session.

She noted that students who have not passed or fully completed the state graduation exam in the June session can apply for the August session, and prior to applying for the August session, students who are not satisfied with their grade can file a complaint to the schools, which will then be forwarded to the State Examination Center and the relevant committees.

Education Minister Vesna Janevska made two announcements in terms of better organizing the state high school graduation examination. She said she will insist that the state high school graduation examination takes place in the amphitheatres and other rooms of universities equipped with blockers.

"I will insist that the state high school graduation examination takes place in the amphitheatres and other rooms of universities equipped with blockers and other technology that will prevent the use of communication devices during the exam, because most of the time, individual and mass copying of answers happens through the use of mobile phones and other devices," Janevska pointed out. 

She added that there must be sanctions for exam observers who fail to do their job correctly as well as all those in the premises where the students take the exam who make mistakes. For the next year, she also announced a measure in terms of amendments to the regulations for taking the state high school graduation exam to step up the responsibilities of the people involved in the process.

She confirmed that all students who have filed a complaint have the right to see the tests after the complaint process is completed. 

Photo: MIA, Ministry of Education