“It’s like painting over mold.” Teachers oppose the abolition of the passing score on exams 0 82

According to the ministry's proposal, a certificate of basic education will be available to all students who successfully complete the school year in all subjects, even if they do not achieve the passing score on centralized exams, reports TV3 News.

The need for changes is explained by the fact that this year more than 800 ninth-graders, and over the past four years — more than 2500 students have been held back due to failed exams.

Schools believe that the problem lies not in the exams themselves, but in the quality of education.

“Honestly, it feels like a quick fix: just painting over a moldy corner with nice white paint so that the mold doesn’t stand out,” said Ilze Paeglkalne, deputy director of the Jūrmala State Gymnasium.

According to educators, for many students, the passing score serves as an incentive to prepare for exams.

“For students who were already motivated, nothing will change. The question is for those whose motivation is low or completely absent. I predict that the number of students with lower results will increase for this reason,” noted Paeglkalne.

Parents also have questions about the initiative.

Sylvia Titova-Meija, a representative of the Parents for Education society, stated that it is still unclear how graduates will enroll in further educational institutions.

“We have many questions right now, and the main one is — where will these children go next to continue their education? What will happen to them next, no one has explained to us.”

Education Minister Ilze Indriksonе, on the contrary, believes that changes are necessary, as low exam results are often linked not to a lack of knowledge, but to unequal access to quality education.

“We do not want to punish children and their families for not being able to receive a quality education. This approach does not mean the abolition of exams. Exams remain important for admission to the next level of education,” emphasized the minister.

At the same time, the ministry is proposing other changes: to introduce a centralized exam in natural sciences in basic school, to abandon the current division of assessment into formative and summative, and to allow students to retake tests more frequently.

Inga Vanaga, chairwoman of the Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Workers, believes that such large-scale changes cannot be made in haste.

“We cannot continue to create these little earthquakes. Therefore, it is important to discuss everything with all stakeholders and to find the best solution as quickly as possible, but thoughtfully.