Gruevski: Changes required in university education

Students will undergo external checkup, whereas the testing model is to be discussed. The Ministry of Education and Science recently announced a novelty in university education - state exam for second and fourth year students, which Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski confirmed on Tuesday.

PM Gruevski said the model is implemented in many countries, such as Denmark, UK, Australia, Visegrad Group states.

"We are contemplating on the state exam, the decision is not final, but something needs to be changed. There are faculties or even universities where students pass exams with high grades without demonstrating any or sufficient knowledge, which is not healthy for a society. The students are handicapped, getting a diploma without possessing knowledge, hindering their prospects", said Gruevski after the promotion of new titles within project "Translation of 1,000 Vocational Books".

According to him, the Government bears the responsibility to change the situation.

"It is a well-known secret that a significant portion of the universities or certain faculties in Macedonia do this, especially the private ones. Motto 'if the student pays, he/she cannot fail the exam or should get a high grade' is valid in certain institutions. Students enrolled in these institutions also apply this motto, which is unhealthy and damaging for them. They maybe see this as a good thing, but when they enter the real world and provide for their families, they realize the mistake", added Gruevski.

He said the novelties would not be introduced for controlling purposes, but for the sake of knowledge.