A teacher from this educational institution confirmed that the changes were introduced last year.
According to the source, "previously, to receive a five, at least 85 points were required, but now the threshold has been raised to 95. Now, to obtain a red diploma, a student must have an average score of no less than 3.75. However, due to the new requirements, many students, despite good grades, do not reach this figure. They are not allowed to retake subjects."
Senior students express particular concern, as they are in the final stages of their studies and are eager to obtain the coveted document.
The teacher also noted that "the students we spoke to feel deceived: they were oriented towards one set of requirements, but now they are faced with new conditions. Universities, fearing inspections from the GKNB and accusations of illegal diploma issuance, refuse to conduct retakes. Thus, students lose the chance for a red diploma not due to their academic performance, but because of changes in the system. This also raises concerns among parents."
According to him, universities are currently avoiding retakes to avoid attracting the GKNB's attention.
The teacher added: "Now many universities fear inspections from the GKNB, which is why retakes have become rare, although they used to be a common occurrence."
Students emphasize that a red diploma is not just a formality. It opens additional opportunities for admission to master's programs, provides an advantage in employment, and may be necessary for obtaining grants and scholarships.
One student shared: "We studied hard, passed our sessions with high scores, and participated in projects. We were told that 85 is an excellent result. Now it turns out that this is not enough. We just found ourselves in a difficult situation."
The Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Innovations confirmed the information to the Kaktus.media editorial office and reported that on September 27, 2024, a resolution was adopted that approves a new regulation on the organization of the educational process in universities, using academic credits.
This document introduces a unified grading scale, which includes:
- a 100-point system;
- a letter grading system;
- a numerical equivalent for calculating GPA (Grade Point Average), with a maximum value of 4.0;
- the traditional grading system.
The new grading scale will apply to first-year students of the 2025/26 academic year and those who enroll in subsequent years. It does not affect senior students.Thus, the changes do not apply to those who began their studies before 2025.
Nevertheless, as teachers assert, there are no clear explanations regarding the new rules in universities, and students are forced to interpret them on their own.
"Students have turned to the media requesting clarification from the ministry to obtain official comments from accessible sources, as not everyone has access to regulatory acts. Due to a lack of information, rumors and misunderstandings arise," the teachers added.
