A debate has erupted in Kyiv regarding the future of the entrance examination system. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko strongly commented on a bill proposing to make mathematics an optional subject in the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT). The head of government stated that the state does not plan to change the current testing structure, neither next year nor in the long term.
Why Mathematics Will Remain Mandatory
The Prime Minister outlined her arguments during the "Education of the New Ukraine 2.0" conference. According to her, discussions about abolishing the mandatory math exam seem strange. Sviridenko emphasized that dropping this subject would harm both the applicants themselves and the country as a whole.
"Since you need to develop it, you need to make the best Ukraine for living and doing business. To do this, you need abilities, knowledge, and skills, and mathematics lays all these foundations," noted the head of government.
The Essence of Bill No. 15254-1
The initiative to change the rules of the game came from a group of People's Deputies. On June 2, Bill No. 15254-1 was registered, proposing changes to the laws on state final certification and the 2027 admission campaign.
According to the document, the number of mandatory subjects should be reduced. The list of unconditional requirements is proposed to include only the Ukrainian language and the History of Ukraine. Mathematics, however, should move to the category of elective subjects.
Expert Opinion and Statistics
The Prime Minister's position is supported by the leadership of relevant ministries. The Director of the State Service of Educational Quality Assurance, Tetyana Vakulenko, previously stated that math test results are a key indicator of future students' success. The expert also noted that this subject plays a critical role in mastering academic programs.
Interest in the admission campaign in the country is growing. This year, more than 350,000 participants registered for the NMT. Statistics show that the number of people wishing to take the test has been increasing for the third year in a row.