Exams banned in primary and preschool education: MoNE regulation published in the Official Gazette

With the regulation published in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) banned the holding of examinations under any name in preschools and primary schools. According to Anadolu Agency, the "Regulation Amending the Ministry of National Education Measurement and Evaluation Regulation" entered into force on the day it was published.

The arrangement aims to align measurement and evaluation activities in official and private preschool education, primary education and secondary education institutions affiliated with the Ministry with the Türkiye Century Education Model. At these levels, the purpose of measurement will be to monitor and support students' cognitive, physical, social and emotional development levels throughout the process.

The regulation stipulates that student achievement be determined on the basis of evidence obtained from measurement and evaluation practices carried out according to the characteristics of the course, taking the learning outcomes and attainments in the curriculum as the basis. The results cannot be used for the purpose of ranking, comparing or benchmarking among students, classes, schools or provinces.

Activities will be carried out only with digital systems and tools deemed appropriate by the Ministry. Artificial intelligence tools deemed appropriate by the Ministry may be used in question preparation and evaluation processes; the use of tools developed by the Ministry will be ensured, with the confidentiality of personal data observed.

The Monitoring and Evaluation of Academic Skills (ABİDE), the Monitoring of Turkish Language Development in Four Skills, School-Based Monitoring and research on literacy skills were gathered under a holistic legislative framework. The principles concerning the implementation of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) were also restructured.

With the regulation, MoNE aims to establish a measurement and evaluation system that is based on student development, adapts to technological developments, strengthens uniformity of practice across the country and supports education policies with scientific data.