Divjak: our goal is to hold the state exam in June

The state exam, or "Matura," is a secondary school exit exam or "maturity diploma" taken by students upon completing their high school education, and must be passed in order to apply to a university or other institutions of higher education. It is the rough equivallent of A-Level exams or SAT and ACT tests.

Appearing on HRT's Good Morning Croatia talk show, Science and Education Minister Blaženka Divjak vowed that in spite of the coronavirus the year-end exam would be held this academic year. "We have to hold the exam. That's what the law says. It is the final step in graduating from high school programs, and a significant element for enrollment into university," Divjak said.

The minister went on to say that the situation is similar in all EU Member States, noting that most states have not yet decided when they will hold their year-end high school exam. Divjak said that only nine Member States have already made a decision to hold the "Matura," starting at the end of May, while 4 Member States have decided to cancel the final exam outright.

"Our goal is graduation in June, meaning that the final exam would also be moved to June. To provide an accurate date we will first have to consult with epidemiologists and the Civil Protection Headquarters. We will not be able to provide a specific date before May," the minister said.

The education minister added that it was quite clear that the final exam would be held under special conditions.

"We are preparing so that the final exam in June will be held in controlled spaces under special measures. As for university enrollment, that is relatively straightforward considering that it is done on the basis of the "Matura" and has been conducted online for years now. The problem is that some universities require additional testing, and this requirement may have to be reconsidered this year," Minister Divjak concluded.

Source: HRT