“Evaluating the work of a school or a teacher for all participants of the Olympiad or their winners is idiocy”: Ihor Likarchuk
In Ukraine, there has been a debate for many years about what the assessment of schoolchildren’s knowledge should be. The issue of educational standards, knowledge testing methods, and the evaluation system has been repeatedly raised by experts, teachers, and parents. One of the most discussed aspects remains the holding of student Olympiads, which for many years have been considered the benchmark for competitions among gifted children. However, do they really have value in the modern education system? My opinion on this matter expressed Ihor Likarchuk, former head of the Ukrainian Center for Evaluation of the Quality of Education.
Likarchuk is convinced that the modern form of student olympiads is a “component of communist ideology” that has long been in need of change. He emphasizes that the modern format of Olympiads not only does not contribute to the deep assimilation of knowledge, but also often creates an illusion of success based only on the number of diplomas and certificates received. According to the expert, this is a wrong path that does not take into account the needs of children, but only fulfills the formal requirements of the system.
Likarchuk suggests transferring the organization of subject competitions to institutions of higher education. According to him, universities have a greater interest in the selection of talented applicants and will be able to provide a fairer assessment of knowledge. In addition, this will make participation in the Olympics not just symbolic, but really important for future participation. Winners of such contests should receive specific benefits during the entry campaign, which will encourage participation and ensure real recognition of their achievements.
The expert pays special attention to the issue of the Small Academy of Sciences (MAS). Likarchuk believes that it is universities and scientific institutions that should manage the activities of the National Academy of Sciences, as they are able to create a high-quality scientific environment for the development of young researchers. This approach will allow not only to identify talents, but also to provide them with the opportunity to develop in the academic field under the guidance of experienced specialists.
Another important issue that Likarchuk focuses on is the fair remuneration of teachers. Preparing students for the Olympiads requires considerable effort and time from teachers. However, this work is now often done without any additional remuneration. Likarchuk emphasizes that this practice is unfair and demotivates teachers. If the system of Olympiads is preserved, the state should provide fair financial compensation for teachers who take an active part in the training of schoolchildren.
“1. The school should not be involved in Olympiads and MAN. This is NOT the function of the school.
2. The competition “who knows better history, mathematics or another subject” is absurd in its essence.
3. Evaluating the work of a school or a teacher for all Olympiad participants or their winners is idiocy. Full.
3. Olympiads are held by universities with selection of “their” entrant. And have the right to independently determine the benefits for the winners during the introductory campaign.
4. The National Academy of Sciences should also involve universities and scientific institutions with the selection of high school students capable of scientific activity and their orientation towards scientific activity.
5. If teachers are involved in the Olympiad or MAN, their work should be paid additionally at the expense of the organizers. School budgets have never provided for this work and will never provide for it.
6. School Olympiads took place in Europe in the 70s of the last century, as one of the types of “socialist competition”, which was a component of the communist ideology at that time. Do we continue and revive, or what?”, – wrote Likarchuk on Facebook.
Thus, the expert emphasizes the need to revise the approaches to the assessment of schoolchildren’s knowledge. In today’s world, where education must meet real challenges and needs, competition for the sake of competition no longer makes sense.
This publication reflects exclusively the position of an expert, which may differ from the point of view of our editors.
