Food for thought

The Ministry of Education, academics, schools, students and parents alike are scrambling for reasons for the below-average results of this summer Tawjihi (General Secondary Certificate Examination).

The overall passing rate for this latest high school examination dropped to 40 per cent, compared to 56.3 for last year, which is really worrisome.

Also upsetting — and in need of a thorough explanation — is the difference between last year’s results in the scientific and literary branches of secondary education.

This year’s results show that while the passing rate in the scientific branch stood at 60.3 per cent, the rate for the literary branch dropped to 16.9 per cent, which is the reverse of the usual trend.

No less disturbing is the lower than usual performance of students attending private schools, who are normally among those who score the highest.

Various explanations have been offered to explain the wide discrepancies between this year’s Tawjihi results and those of previous years.

Some believe the questions were more difficult this time, others that more stringent measures were taken this year against “cheating” or other abuses — which is how it should be.

Whatever the reasons, they must be well examined and conclusions reached.

One thing is definitely settled: that the differences between this year’s results and those in previous years suggest that something is wrong and that has to be addressed.

The results may also suggest that the entire system of Tawjihi examination is due for a revamping. As is, it seems incapable of getting the best out of students.

There has been talk about reconsidering the entire basis for Tawjihi for years, but no viable alternative that measures students’ skills fairly for the purpose of modern education has been offered.

Until that happens, students remain victim of an antiquated examination system and, unfortunately and most likely, an inadequate education system.

That did not use to be the case. Jordan used to take pride in its education and educators, exporting skills and brains.

It should work to regain that lost glory.