National exams: new digital model throws up significant teething problems

The timetable for the first phase of the national exams indicated that Portuguese exam papers would be distributed to people marking them on Tuesday – but today, a day later (at time of writing), nothing has reached them.

It is just the latest hiccup in the ambitious ‘full digitalisation’ of national exams this year.

On Monday, news stations were hearing that the ‘cloak of secrecy’ necessary (because of the fact that exams are often sat in shifts) was whipped up so that the second round of students due to sit their 9th year Maths’ test could, if they had the wherewithal and heads-up, consult the paper ahead of time.

Talking to Antena 1 radio yesterday, Cristina Mota, of the Public School Mission, said the problems show this ‘entirely digital format’ needs a great deal in the way of refinements. Perhaps it isn’t the way, after all, she queried. “The situation shows that the system can be violated, and that digitalisation puts the rigour and credibility of external evaluation at risk.”

As news outlets have explained, this whole shift to digital when it comes to exams has involved increased security – and a great deal of extra public expense. Once exams are completed, all the papers are scanned at the Mint. Thousands of police are required, to ferry the material from schools to Mint.

The process is intended to simplify marking, but in practice, admits SIC Notícias, it is delaying the entire operation.

Teachers say that, under the paper-based system, there were no delays (certainly not that any teachers active today can remember).

SIC says it has contacted the Ministry of Education to find out when the Portuguese exam papers will be distributed for marking – and why they have been so delayed – but, this far, has “received no response”.

Source material: SIC Notícias/ Observador/ LUSA

Natasha Donn

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.