Experts: The Achievement Test highlights the same trend as in previous years

The results of this year’s Achievement Test, taken by more than 21,000 students, show that the nationwide average reached 48.35 percent. According to education experts, there is no noticeable improvement compared with previous years, while the Ministry of Education stresses that this data will be used to draft reforms in education.

One day after the results for ninth-grade students were made public, the enrollment competition for 10th grade has opened. The process began today and will remain open until July 9.

According to data published by the Ministry of Education, more than 21,000 students sat the Achievement Test this year, while the nationwide average stood at 48.35%, or below 50%. The best performance was recorded in English language, history and Albanian language. On the other hand, the weakest results were recorded in Chemistry and Mathematics, followed by Biology, Physics, Informatics and Geography. Education experts assess that these results reflect the same trend as in previous years.

“The results are the same as in the previous testing and there is no substantial change. A downward trend in performance is noticeable, especially in the Albanian language, and this shows the need for greater attention from institutions to ensure that students are acquiring the proper knowledge in these key areas,” says education expert Rinor Qehaja.

However, school leaders say their focus remains on working toward the highest possible student results.

“Every year we also conduct an internal achievement test. As the testing period comes to an end, we carry out a thorough analysis of the results, and we also analyze the scores from the achievement test. Then, we do these analyses again in August, when we assess the results from the previous year, and they help us identify setbacks and review achievements,” said Visar Osmani, director of the ‘Emin Duraku’ school.

The Ministry of Education and Science has also underlined that the Achievement Test results provide a picture of the level of competency acquisition by students at the end of lower secondary education and that they will serve as a basis for identifying priorities and planning measures to improve quality in education.