Nearly 13 Hours of Testing Due to Air Raids: Lawmakers Push for Overhaul of Ukraine's Exam System.

Ukraine Debates Reforms to the National Multi-Subject Test

According to Novyny.live: A major controversy is brewing in Ukraine over the structure of the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) following an alarming incident in the Odesa region. There, high school graduates were forced to endure nearly 13 hours of testing as repeated air raid alerts kept interrupting the exam. Yulia Gryshyna, a member of parliament who chairs the Subcommittee on Higher Education under the Verkhovna Rada's Committee on Education, has voiced deep concern over the severe psychological toll this ordeal took on the teenagers.

The events in Odesa have laid bare the urgent need to rethink the current graduation exam system. Gryshyna explained that her proposed bill aims to reduce the number of subjects students must take on a single day, with changes set to take effect starting with the 2027 testing cycle.

“The goal of this bill to change the NMT is not about the math itself, but about cutting down the number of subjects children have to handle in one session for the 2027 campaign,” said Yulia Gryshyna.

Students' Ordeal and New Rules for First-Graders

For over half a day, test-takers remained under the threat of drone attacks while sitting for the NMT. Parents reported appalling conditions inside the testing centers, with some students collapsing from exhaustion and suffocation. Although students had the option to postpone the exam due to the prolonged air raid warnings, the majority chose to push through and finish the test that same day. Gryshyna highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating,

“Children spent 13 hours under Shahed drones, under alerts, in a state of stress, taking the NMT. Is this what we need in the sixth year of war? I am sure it is not,” said Yulia Gryshyna.

Separately, discussions are also underway regarding new enrollment rules for first-graders in Odesa, as applications for first grade were accepted from April 1 through May 31. Given the wartime stress and challenges children are facing, questions about the education system's responsiveness have become increasingly urgent. Observers note that the exam system must adapt to the current realities to ensure both safety and comfort for students during their studies and assessments.

The ongoing debate over NMT reforms and broader educational adjustments in Ukraine highlights a pressing need to tailor the learning process to the harsh conditions children endure during war. The psychological burden on graduates calls into question not only their physical safety but also their overall well-being. It is critical that the education system rises to meet the challenges of the times, providing a supportive environment that accounts for students' needs and emotional health.