The press secretary for the President of Russia offered fresh thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding the Unified State Examination (USE) in an interview with Arguments and Facts. He emphasized that while the discussion about the USE continues, it is wiser to refine and strengthen the system than to discard it altogether.
In recounting his own experience, the Kremlin spokesperson recalled difficulties his children faced when preparing for the USE. He explained that his kids studied intensively on their own for a year, rather than relying on a lengthy school-based program, which meant they did not follow a traditional preparation path throughout their schooling. This personal anecdote highlighted the varied ways families approach exam readiness and the potential gaps it can reveal in standard preparation timelines.
Despite these personal challenges, he noted a key advantage of the USE: it provides access to higher education for students from different cities, enabling them to pursue studies at universities of their choice. He described this mobility as a substantial benefit, underscoring how a standardized examination can level the playing field for applicants from diverse regions.
From his perspective, the priority should be to advance the Unified State Examination by adapting it to society’s evolving needs rather than turning away from certain aspects or insisting on rigid fixes. The message was clear: reform, not rejection, is the path forward to ensure the USE remains relevant and effective.
Recent reports have indicated renewed attention to Russia’s school system, including discussions about how behavior assessments could influence the results of the USE. These conversations point to a broader consideration of how student evaluation is conducted and how it might be aligned with broader educational goals and fairness.
Concurrently, lawmakers had previously proposed steps to improve governance of the system, including calls for greater transparency and coordination among government agencies that oversee educational initiatives. The overarching aim is to ensure the USE serves both students and the country’s educational objectives in a coherent and accountable manner.