Resume:
In 2018, of the 47,669 applicants who took the unified education completion exams, 11,674 failed to surpass the minimum competence threshold (failed in at least one subject) which constitutes 24.5% of the total number of applicants. In 2017, nearly 27% of applicants failed in at least one subject whilst 40% of those who took the exam for the second time failed again (this constituted 18% of the total number of applicants). In accordance with 2016’s data, 25.3% of schoolchildren failed in at least one subject.
Since 2012, the results of the unified education completion exams have been getting worse almost every year – the number of applicants unable to surpass the minimum competence threshold has been on the rise. As compared to 2013, the situation has become better in 2014-2015 although that was a clearly temporary trend because exam results have continued to deteriorate from 2016 to today. More and more pupils have to take an exam again in at least one subject which is a clear indication of the existing flaws within Georgia’s education system.
Analysis MP from the European Georgia Movement for Freedom, Sergo Ratiani, spoke about the unified education completion exams and stated:
“For the past several years, nearly 25% of schoolchildren cannot get education completion diplomas.”
FactChecktook interest in the accuracy of the statement.
In 2010, the Government of Georgia decided to launch the unified education completion exams at public schools. Georgia’s National Assessment and Examination Centre was tasked to prepare the content of the tests and ensure administrative and technical (software) provisions as well as to hold the exams. Schoolchildren take exams in some of the subjects by the end of the 11th grade whilst they have to take the exams in the remaining subjects by the end of the 12thgrade.
In accordance with the information of Georgia’s National Assessment and Examination Centre, 49,248 applicants registered for the 2018 education completion exams. Of this number, 47,669 applicants did take an exam with 11,674 having failed to surpass the minimum competence threshold. In terms of percentage, 24.5% of applicants failed in unified education completion exams.
Table 1:
Results of 2018 Education Completion Exams
| 2018 | Number of Registered Applicants | Number of Applicants who Took Exams | Passed the Exam | Failed the Exam | Failed the Exam % |
| Figures | 49,248 | 47,619 | 35,995 | 11,674 | 24.5% |
In regard to the previous years, 47,063
applicants from 48,434 registered applicants took an exam in 2017. Of this number, 12,803 applicants failed which constitutes nearly 27% of the total number of applicants. There were 13,941 applicants who took an exam again in at least one subject. Of this number, 5,562 applicants passed the second exam. Nearly 40% of applicants who retook an exam still failed which amounted to approximately 18% of the total number of applicants. In 2016, 25.3% of applicants failed to pass the minimum threshold. This figure was 14.8% in 2015.
Table 2:
Schoolchildren Registration, Examination and Failure Figures in 2011-2017
| Year | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Registered Schoolchildren | 46,490 | 41,483 | 41,947 | 38,140 | 44,482 | 47,084 | 48,434 |
| Number of Schoolchildren who Took an Exam | 41,482 | 40,545 | 37,945 | 37,189 | 43,525 | 45,688 | 47,063 |
| Number of Schoolchildren who Failed an Exam | 5,978 | 4,727 | 7,941 | 5,235 | 6,446 | 11,577 | 12,803 |
| % | 14.4% | 11.7% | 20.9% | 14% | 14.8% | 25.3% | 27% |
Graph 1:
Source: Georgia’s National Assessment and Examination Centre
As shown in the table and graph above, the education completion exam results have been getting worse in almost every year since 2012 – the number of applicants who failed to surpass the minimum competence threshold is on the rise. As compared to 2013, the situation improved in 2014-2015; however, this was clearly a temporary trend because pupil performance has been deteriorating again since 2016. More and more schoolchildren have to take a second exam in at least one subject which is a clear indication of the existing flaws within Georgia’s education system.
