The Latvian Employers’ Confederation (LKED) together with its partners wrote an official letter to the President, calling for the refusal of the mandatory centralized exam in physics, chemistry, biology and natural sciences, reports LETA.
The letter is addressed not only to the President of Latvia Edgar Rinkevich, but also to the Prime Minister Évike SilineMinister of Education and Science Ande Chakshe and the Minister of Economy Victor Valainis.
It was proposed to abandon the mandatory exam in natural sciences at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on education, culture and science on November 13 this year. However, business organizations are categorically against such a step, which conflicts with the current rules of the Cabinet of Ministers and the needs of national economic development.
In September 2022, the government supported provisions providing for the introduction of a mandatory centralized exam in physics, chemistry, biology and natural sciences in the 2025/2026 academic year at the secondary education level, and for graduates of primary school – a mandatory interdisciplinary state test, which includes natural sciences. sciences, in the 2024/2025 academic year, emphasized in the LDDK.
LDDK reminds that the introduction of these exams does not require changes in the educational content of “School 2030”. In all institutions of general secondary education, mastering physics, chemistry and biology is now mandatory, and the exam serves as a tool for assessing the quality of secondary state education in the field of natural sciences.
This data would help teachers, school leaders, local governments and education policymakers make decisions about needed improvements and support, and would also serve as a source of information for students and parents about the quality of science education offered in schools.
Without studying the basics of natural sciences at school, there is no hope that young people in universities will be able to master engineering, information technology and other professions needed both now and in the future, believe LDDK and business organizations. They demand that Education Minister Anda Chakshi prevent ministry officials from sabotaging and undermining the education system, and ensure that government decisions are implemented.
As reported, in November, at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on education, culture and science, the Ministry of Education and Science proposed reducing the number of centralized exams in basic and secondary schools.
Source: www.gorod.lv
