When Hard Work and Learning Are the Only Way Out

“The era of corruption in the educational system of Georgia is over. The time has come when hard work and learning are the only way out,” said President Saakashvili on July 11, 2005, the first day of the new unified national examinations in Georgia.

TBILISI, Georgia -   About 31,000 students participated in nationwide university entrance examinations over the course of ten days in July 2005. A new Law on Higher Education made the unified national examinations mandatory for all potential students seeking to enroll in a higher education institution in Georgia. This new requirement seeks to end corrupt transactions between university administrations and potential students.

New rules

The new entrance examinations were designed to root out shady practices which, according to the Ministry of Education, were widespread in the Georgian education system. For years, university entrance examinations represented an opportunity for bribery. The structure and highly subjective nature of the entrance examinations were easy to manipulate by corrupt officials. They favored those candidates who either had "connections" or had bribed the members of the examination committee, creating serious equity concerns.  

World Bank support

The new unified university entrance examinations are just one component of the broad slate of reforms that the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science is implementing with the support of the World Bank. Other work has focused on developing a new national curriculum, building up teacher training capacity and introducing per capita financing to schools. The World Bank has also supported efforts by the Ministry to introduce regular assessments and examinations at the school level.

The unified university entrance examinations were developed within the framework of the Education System Realignment and Strengthening Program (also known as the Ilia Chavchavadze Education Project). “The Bank-supported project was first launched under the previous administration and is focused on primary and secondary school education. The new government identified university entrance exams as a major priority,” said Roy Southworth, Country Manager for Georgia. He added that “the World Bank responded well to the government’s request,” and praised “a high level of Georgian ownership in the project.”

A more transparent process

The new examinations covered four subjects (Georgian Language, Literature, Maths and Foreign Languages). In addition, students were required to take a General Aptitude test. This test assesses a wide range of intellectual skills including critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving skills and learning potential.

For the first time, students were able to apply to faculties in several universities simultaneously. This considerably increases the chances of applicants being admitted to the universities of their choice.

In order to ensure maximum transparency, a high level of security surrounded the testing process. All examination sessions were videotaped, for example, and international observers were present. 

Examination booklets were printed in a secure off-site facility overseas. Arrangements were made for the  secure transport and delivery of examination booklets to 14 examination centers. The sealed envelopes which contained the testing materials were opened in the presence of students.

Each testing center was equipped with TV monitors to let relatives and parents observe the examination process. “I saw lots of applicants and think they were less nervous than their parents or me,” commented Minister of Education Kakha Lomaia.

Candidates were identified by a barcode on each exam paper to ensure confidentiality in the grading process. Georgian language and literature tests were reviewed and graded twice by separate people to prevent any subjectivity in their evaluation.

An enthusiastic public response

A special media center was set up in one of Tbilisi's high schools to provide information about the new examinations. The National Assesment and Examination Center’s website (http://www.naec.ge/) was the second most visited website in the country during the exam period.

Overall, media coverage and awareness of the new examinations was very high. Candidates interviewed in national newspapers shared their enthusiasm for the new type of testing. "I don’t believe I am saying this but the best part of the exams was that we couldn’t cheat. I felt extremely calm and self-confident," said Nato, 16.

The results of the nationwide examinations were eagerly awaited on August 20th.

Based on their results, approximately 4,000 candidates will receive state scholarships to finance their higher education, in either public or private institutions.

"A truly talented and proud generation"

Education Minister Kakha Lomaia expressed his satisfaction with the new examination process. "Although not all applicants will become [university] students, I want to say that we will have a truly talented and proud generation, " he said.  "The character, purpose and faith in the future that these applicants have expressed in recent days was really pleasant and encouraging for us. I want to thank every single applicant for this."

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