Graduation candidates are allowed to cross out a course again this year
Pupils taking their final exams this year may, just like last year, cross off one subject - which is not a core subject - from their final list if it allows them to pass. Education minister Dennis Wiersma (VVD) is taking the measure because the road to the final exam was again 'bumpier and more unpredictable than hoped'.
Picture: type tank
This measure is in addition to the previously announced relaxation for the final exam. In December, the previous minister of education Arie Slob (ChristenUnie) already announced that final exam candidates will be given an extra resit due to the pandemic, giving them two in total. The third period will also continue this year. This ensures that students have longer preparation time.
Last December it became clear to pre-vocational secondary education students that the rules for the central written and practical exam (CSPE) are changing. They could sooner conclude their vocational profile subjects in a school exam, so that schools could choose themselves when they took the exam. In this exam year, the cspe is again partially administered as a central exam.
horde
In principle, Slob did not want a thumb scheme during the upcoming final exams, that is the name of the scheme whereby students are allowed to cross out a subject so that it does not count in the pass-fail scheme. However, he was concerned about this measure because of the corona virus.
Now the new minister Wiersma decides that he will give students that opportunity, in a supplement to that final exam decision. The subject that does not count towards the exam result may not be a core subject. The subjects involved differ per school type. For example, Dutch is a core subject in VMBO. At havo this applies to Dutch and English and to the havists who have mathematics in their profile, mathematics is also a core subject. Dutch, English and Mathematics are core subjects for all pre-university students.
Due to quarantines and the cancellation of classes, Wiersma believes that secondary school has 'knew enough hurdles'. He therefore wants to give these students the same opportunities as last year's class. 'The thumb rule is therefore expressly intended as a safety net, so that students who fall slightly short at the end can still succeed', so writes Wiersma.
Minister Wiersma: 'The thumb regulation is a safety net, so that students who fall just slightly short at the end can still pass'
Understanding
Jelmer Evers, AOb- director of secondary education, understands the decision. “This class of students has had a hard time for a few years now,” he says. The measure will ease the workload of teachers, but according to Evers there were still interim solutions, such as letting go of core subjects, giving extra insufficient allowances, or announcing the measure at a later date. “Educationally speaking, crossing out a subject is not necessarily the best solution. The motivation of students is declining, because they no longer have to pass the subject.”
AObdirector Evers: 'From an educational point of view, eliminating a subject is not necessarily the best solution. Students' motivation is declining'
Completely surprised
Evers would have liked to discuss possible solutions with the ministry. “Yesterday we sat down with OCW employees to discuss the third period, but were completely surprised by the press release and the minister's decision. I actually don't think that's possible, especially because nothing has been discussed with teacher organizations."
A AObpoll showed that almost half (46 percent) of secondary school teachers surveyed thought the thumb rule would be OK if schools were still closed.
Stay informed about the news from your education sector. Download the AOb-members app in the Google Playstore of Apple Store and tick secondary education.
