Minister of Education Kristina Kallas (Eesti 200) recently made a statement acknowledging that Estonia is not yet ready for electronic-only exams, following technical glitches that affected high school entrance tests and exams. The Ministry of Education will be replacing the team responsible for the examination information system (EIS), as Kallas revealed in an interview with ERR.
The recent incident left approximately 4,000 basic school leavers in Estonia, or 27 percent of the total, disappointed during Saturday’s tests. The Ministry of Education took responsibility for the mishap, citing mistakes in work processes and lack of communication between departments as contributing factors. Kallas admitted that she was not personally aware of the situation until the test had already failed, highlighting the need for better coordination within the ministry.
The failed exams resulted in a wasted workday for teachers and students, prompting questions about accountability. Kallas stated that the Ministry of Education would bear the damages, but emphasized the need to use the exam information system appropriately. She acknowledged that the system was not designed for conducting tests in full public view and that alternative methods would need to be considered for future exams.
In light of the recent events, the Ministry of Education decided that upcoming tests in Ida- and Lääne-Viru County would not be conducted via the EIS. Instead, the exams would be administered on paper or through another platform like Moodle, a popular open-source learning management system. The decision reflected the ministry’s recognition that the EIS was not suitable for certain types of tests and required a more tailored approach.
Despite the challenges faced during the recent exams, Kallas defended Estonia’s e-school system, stating that the test-run exams had been successful in the past. She emphasized the importance of identifying and addressing glitches through test runs to ensure the system’s reliability. However, Kallas also admitted that Estonia was not yet ready for e-exams and that further improvements were needed before transitioning to electronic-only testing.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Education announced that the EIS team would be replaced. Kallas confirmed that the decision had been made, and some team members were expected to leave by the end of the week. The change in personnel signaled a commitment to addressing the issues that arose during the recent exams and improving the overall functionality of the examination information system.
In conclusion, the recent technical glitches in high school entrance tests and exams served as a wake-up call for Estonia’s education system. While the incident highlighted the need for better communication and coordination within the Ministry of Education, it also underscored the importance of proper planning and testing when implementing new technologies. By addressing these challenges and making necessary improvements, Estonia can work towards a more reliable and efficient examination system in the future.