According to him, the cost of the ORT has increased from 200 to 470 soms per subject, which is a significant amount for low-income families.
“Many parents send their children to paid courses to prepare for the testing. The ORT is becoming a source of stress and additional expenses. In other countries, similar tests are funded by the state. We need to initiate reforms. The budget has increased, and we have a surplus. Let’s start this year, calculate the necessary funds. Let a private company conduct the testing, but the state should pay for it,” Bekeshev emphasized.
Additionally, the parliamentarian raised other issues related to the ORT, including a proposal to abolish testing for ninth-graders wishing to enter colleges.
He also noted that, despite the digitalization of many processes, applicants still wait for ORT results for 1.5 months. The deputy called for speeding up this process through computerization.
Furthermore, Bekeshev shared complaints from students in the Uzgen district, who reported that the school administration selects only 10 students to take the ORT in order not to tarnish the institution's rating with poor results. The parliamentarian reminded that such behavior is illegal and every student has the right to take the ORT.
