During the parliamentary session on November 11, Jogorku Kenesh MP Kamila Talieva, representing the 'El Ümütü Ata-Jurt' group, criticized the Republican Testing (ORT) system. She proposed revising the current procedure and returning control over the process to state structures.
Organizational problems and TSOOMO's monopoly
According to the parliamentarian, the testing has been conducted by a non-state organization — the Center for Educational Assessment and Learning Methods (TSOOMO) for 20 years. Talieva called this structure a monopolist and questioned the accountability of the organization upon which the fates of thousands of graduates depend.
"Why is such an important test for the state being conducted by a non-state organization? Who monitors TSOOMO's activities, who can take responsibility and provide a guarantee for the work of an organization upon which the fate of thousands of graduates depends?"
The MP emphasized that the ORT directly affects applicants' admission to universities, including the allocation of state-funded places. This year, she stated, a number of serious incidents occurred that affected the interests of the participants.
Document errors and organizational failures
Among the problems voiced by Talieva were technical and organizational shortcomings during this year's exams:
- errors in certificates where incorrect years were indicated;
- insufficient information provided to applicants and their parents;
- delays in the start of testing (sometimes by an hour or more);
- lack of drinking water for participants;
- complaints about incorrect tasks in the Kyrgyz language
According to the MP, errors in documents were only discovered during the stage of enrolling students into universities.
