The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Mr. Prodromos Prodromou today chaired a meeting with the President and members of the Board of Directors of the Confederation of Federations of Associations of Parents' Associations of Public Secondary Schools on the new evaluation procedure and the written examinations for fourth semester examinations in Lyceums and Technical Schools.
The purpose of the meeting was to thoroughly inform the representatives of parents, a number of managerial and executive educational staff, about all the procedures and processes in the Ministry concerning the evaluation. The aim was to redress erroneous impressions that have been disseminated and to answer questions raised.
In addition to the Director General and the Directors of Secondary General and Secondary Technical Education and Training, the briefing was attended by the Inspectors General, Chief Education Officers and a number of Inspectors of various courses.
From the Ministry's side, data was provided showing that the assessment conducted in the month of January this year has results that are essentially no different from those of previous years - where there was a similar assessment - and the performance of students in the 3rd grade/technical schools, who sat for the quarterly examinations for the first time, are similar to the performance of the same students in last year's examinations when they sat the examinations as upper secondary school/technical school students. Specifically, it was explained that whether the average course grade point average or the statistical distribution of performance in the written examination was examined, no particular issue was found in the 2021-22 first semester assessment. Performance was on average about the same as in other school years, with deviations of 1-1.5 points (which deviations in some cases were positive.)
Indicatively, results were analyzed showing that the deviations between the oral and written assessments in all subjects and grades are similar to those that are always the case, with nothing different this year.
Similarly, the distribution of performance in the different subjects across thousands of students shows that it is as statistically expected, with about 10% of the third grade students having high performance (17-20/20) and the majority having average performance, since more than 1/3 scored between 10 and 13/20. There was a similar 'normal distribution' in Maths, Physics and other subjects.
Individual schools or subjects may need to pay attention to some issues and this is part of the whole process and targeting for improvements. The same should apply individually to some pupils and this is the work of teachers and themselves.
In addition, and because there has been particularly strong reference to relatively 'dramatic' publications, data was presented on the performance of pupils who are in the 'starter group' of schools (i.e. who are the highest achievers).
These results show that overwhelmingly, and with a few exceptions counting on their fingers, the performance of these students from a number of schools in various districts from which data have been collected is equal to or better than their regular performance. Therefore, the scathing reports made by some about "victimisation" are not at all true and were irresponsible - if not malicious.
The Ministry undertook to provide parents with some specific data on issues on which they requested information.
It was noted that there may at times be different considerations on certain issues, but with the common goal of enhancing quality education within public schools and continually improving learning outcomes, cooperation will continue and suggestions from the Confederation will be considered.
The common will to provide quality education was recorded, with the Minister thanking the Confederation for the wider collaboration that exists and it was agreed that a more detailed update on the plans and preparations that have been made and are ongoing for the second quarter would be provided at the next meeting.
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