Statement | National Secondary School Exams and Admission to Higher Education

Following the previous press release, concerning the steps taken with the Office of the Minister for Education, Science and Innovation to obtain an update on the procedure for publishing the national examination results, and to identify the measures envisaged to mitigate the risks involved, particularly in relation to the start of the second examination phase, the Ombudsman has since been kept informed through regular updates.

Without prejudice to any assessment that may be warranted in due course, the Ombudsperson notes the adequacy, in general and in the abstract, of the measures adopted to mitigate the effects arising from the process of digitization and digital grading of the national exams administered in the first phase—a position she has already had the opportunity to convey to the Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation.

In addition to making it possible for students to correct missing information in the digitized exams quickly and free of charge, as well as establishing a special registration period – with free enrollment and adjustments to the higher education admissions calendar – new monitoring and control mechanisms have also been implemented in the digitized grading process.

The Ombudsperson continues to monitor the ongoing external evaluation process. Particular attention should be paid to the sequence of the second phase of exams, the coordination with the phases of the higher education admissions process and ensuring the protection of students under conditions of equality—particularly any issues related to the disclosure of revised grades following requests for reconsideration of exams taken in the first phase. Regarding this last point, it should be noted that applicants may submit or amend their applications for higher education within three days of the release of a revised score, should the result become known after the regular application deadline has passed.

All complaints received to date by the Ombudsman have already been closed.