Students, many of whom received high test scores and had hoped to attend medical school, protested across the Kurdistan Region this week. Aram Mohammed, minister of higher education and scientific research, said their failure to get into their top choice programs was a result of a flawed education system, too many high scores, and an inability to use the application system properly.
“There are some flaws which have to do with the school system, education and us. Some of it has to do with higher education,” Mohammed said in a press conference on Thursday.
“The problem is bigger than that - it’s not just medical school. These high scores need to be studied, need to be researched,” he added.
Students in the Kurdistan Region use an electronic system called Zankoline to apply to university. The minister urged students to utilize the help of professionals when applying, saying it would change their results.
“Some scored 93, some scored 73 and they have both been admitted to the same place,” he said.
Mohammed previously called for a dramatic overhaul of the education system, saying it does not “meet our present-day needs.”
The Kurdistan Region’s public education system largely focuses on theory and doesn’t promote creative thinking and learning. Practical study is also limited, often because of lack of equipment. Entry into post-secondary education is driven by grades, with a student’s marks determining what field they will study.
Mohammed in September suggested abolishing the grade-driven approach to admissions, adding that the system “neglects learning, innovation, and all the potential that students have."
He also said public universities are stretched thin.
“This year, 63,000 students graduated [high school], and 52,000 has applied [for universities],” he said, noting that the universities are not capable of admitting this many.
“This creates a catastrophe. This creates a high number of degrees, graduates and unemployment,” said Mohammed.
According to data provided by Khatab Ahmed Mustafa, the ministry’s head of education and planning, more than 3,000 students got more than 95 out of 100.
People with “these scores did not get in because of one reason, because the number of students who got high scores is a lot,” he said, adding that university seats are limited and can reach a maximum of 45,000 if they place pressure on the universities and have two school shifts.
The minister promised the students that their applications would be reviewed and he would raise the issue to the council of ministers.
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