Lukashenko: No technical failure during centralized exams

MINSK, 6 June (BelTA) – There was no technical failure during the holding of centralized exams, but the scoring system turned out to be too complex and incomprehensible, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he hosted a meeting to discuss the ongoing university admission campaign on 6 June, BelTA has learned.

The head of state recalled that he had instructed the head of the Belarus President Administration to thoroughly scrutinize the scoring and grading system. “The scrutiny revealed that there was no technical failure, that the scoring system that has been used in centralized testing since 2019 worked correctly, and I don't doubt the integrity of your approaches to calculating the scores,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “What does not go down well with me is that people cannot make heads or tails of the complicated system that you devised: neither future students (applicants), nor their parents, nor other people,” the head of state noted.

The system should have been clear, understandable and easy, but it turned out to be extremely confusing. “You created it for yourselves,” he noted.

In addition, inconsistencies were found between the results of the rehearsal testing and the centralized exams. “People have compared them and have realized that the students who got better scores found themselves in a worse position,” the head of state said.

If a mistake has been made, one should not be afraid to admit it, the president is convinced. It is important to take adequate and timely measures to rectify the situation. “There is no need to be afraid. If you have made a mistake, you should admit it. Why are we hiding and refusing to own up to it?” he said. “Have we made a mistake? Yes, we have. But we have rectified it in due time thanks to people's feedback. Do not hide or be afraid of anything,” the president said.