The 2024 Small Matura exam results have dropped a bombshell that has enraged parents, teachers, and everyone following education in Serbia. The average score on the Serbian language test is a mere 11.61, while the test for native languages of national minorities is even worse at 11.54 points. To make matters worse, even tests like Bulgarian and Bosnian languages have lower averages, while chemistry shines as a bright spot with an average of 15.87. But why has Serbian language performance plummeted so low? And why is geography, chosen by a whopping 46.5% of eighth graders, lagging behind expectations with an average of just 13.01?
These numbers are not just statistics – they are a red flag for the entire education system. Students had the option to choose one of five subjects: history, geography, physics, chemistry, or biology. Biology and history showed somewhat better results but still far from satisfactory. Physics and chemistry are the only subjects with averages above 15 points, casting a shadow on the quality of teaching and preparation for other subjects.
About 63,000 students took the final exam, representing 99.7% of eighth graders, and adults also had the opportunity to take functional basic education exams. Yet, the numbers show that most students struggled significantly, especially with the Serbian language test. The Ministry of Education announced that final results will be published on June 30, and complaints on preliminary results can be submitted until June 27. Parents and students are in panic, wondering if the education system failed or if the tests were just too hard.
This situation raises many questions: Were teachers adequately prepared? Were the tests fair and age-appropriate? And most importantly – what will happen to the future of children if this path continues?
If you thought the Small Matura was just another exam, think again. These numbers are an alarm we cannot ignore. So, what do you think – is the problem with the kids, the teachers, or the system? Drop a comment, let’s figure out who’s to blame for this disaster!
