Ministry contemplating modifications to mandatory schooling structure in education sector
The Ministry of National Education (MEB) in Turkey has implemented a series of measures to guarantee the security and fairness of the High School Entrance System (LGS) exam. These measures cover the preparation, distribution, and administration of the exam.
In the exam question preparation stage, the environment is completely isolated and equipped with signal-blocking devices to prevent any leaks or unauthorized communication. Only expert educators and administrators, both from Turkey and abroad, are involved in preparing the questions, ensuring professional handling and fairness.
During the printing and distribution process, every step is carried out under the supervision of police and ministry officials. The exam booklets are secured during distribution and are delivered to exam centers under strict control, ensuring that they reach students only at the exam time.
Inside the exam halls, physical and technological precautions are enforced to combat cheating and unfair practices. The Ministry is also reviewing policies such as school dress codes, considering a return to a uniform dress code to reduce socioeconomic disparities and distractions during exams, thereby promoting equality among students.
The Ministry maintains a firm stance against leaks, clarifying that alleged leak images appeared only after the exams ended, ensuring exam integrity was preserved. Despite opposition allegations, the Ministry continues to emphasize transparency and stringent security controls in all phases of the LGS exam administration.
The LGS exam is a critical step for millions of students transitioning from middle to high school in Turkey. In this year's exam, 719 students nationwide scored full marks, with 164 from Istanbul, 26 from Adana, and 20 from Bursa.
Project schools, introduced in 2014, provide schools the opportunity to implement pedagogical and academic projects that distinguish them from others. Claims that hundreds of students from a single province achieved full scores in the LGS exam are unfounded.
The Ministry is also carefully evaluating proposals related to potential revisions in the structure and duration of compulsory education. Additionally, supplementary courses through DYK (Learning Support Centers) provide additional, tailored assistance with teachers chosen by the students themselves.
Minister Yusuf Tekin recently provided clarifications regarding the administration, security measures, exam results, and ongoing educational reforms of the LGS exam. He encourages students to rely on textbooks and official educational materials. The feedback from students indicates the LGS exam was manageable and within expected levels of difficulty.
Deviations from the original intentions for project schools have been observed, and the ministry has reevaluated these schools to bring them back in line with the intended purpose. Approval for project schools involves district, provincial, and ministry authorities to ensure projects meet high academic standards and serve educational goals.
Devices capable of recording images or transmitting information, such as earphones or similar equipment, are strictly banned inside exam halls to protect the confidentiality of exam materials. The ministry is considering a return to a uniform dress code policy to reduce disparities among students, promote equality, and minimize disputes between parents and the school administration.
These measures collectively aim to uphold the security, transparency, and fairness of the LGS exam, a crucial milestone in the lives of millions of Turkish students.
- In the context of education-and-self-development, Minister Yusuf Tekin encourages students to trust textbooks and official educational materials, as feedback suggests the High School Entrance System (LGS) exam was manageable and within expected levels of difficulty.
- To promote equality among students during the LGS exam, the Ministry of National Education (MEB) in Turkey is considering a return to a uniform dress code policy, similar to the one in Istanbul, Adana, and Bursa, where exam integrity was preserved despite opposition allegations.
- Recognizing the importance of the environment in education, the question preparation stage for the LGS exam is carried out in an isolated, signal-blocked environment, with expert educators from around the globe, including Turkey, ensuring fairness and professional handling.
