Monitoring report from the sec- ond round of the 2014 National Matura Exam table of contents (Lack of) Instructions by the Ministry 01 Summary 08 of Education 02 KALLXO.COM 10 Use of electronic appliances Unjustified absence of Discipline of administrators and 03 administrators 11 commissioners during the exam 04 Delays 12 Discipline of students during the exam Presence of unauthorized 05 individuals in testing centers 13 Crowds in test packaging 06 Identification of students 14 Recommendations Administration by security 07 companies 18 Publications Editor-in-chief and Executive Producer Desk editors team Faik Ispahiu, Drejtor i Internews Kosova Përparim Isufi dhe Anton Nrecaj Authors Planning desk leader Muhamet Hajrullahu dhe Muhamet Hajrullahu Kreshnik Gashi Project manager Social network editor Albulena Sadiku Valon Canhasi Editing Mbikqyrës ligjor Bekim Muhaxheri Kreshnik Gashi dhe Flutura Kusari Technical supervision Arian Hyseni MONITORS 1. Obiliq: 6. Lipjan: Secondary school ‘Bajram Curri’ Labinot Leposhtica and Granit Mërgime Vrajolli and Skender Mavriqi- Lower secondary school Govori – Primary School ‘Vëllezërit 12. Deçan : ‘Ibrahim Rugova’, Secondary Frashëri’, Secondary school ‘Adem Armend Zenelaj and Durim Shala technical-professional school Gllavica’ - ‘Vëllezërit Frëshëri’ Gymnasium, ‘Hasan Tahsini’ Secondary technical school ‘Tafil 7. Mitrovicë: Kasumaj’ 2. Suharekë: Eronida Mataj and Astrit Perani : Qazim Hasanaj and Rrahman – Public Mitrovica University ‘Isa 13. Gjakovë: Ramaj – ‘Jeta e Re’ Gymnasium, Boletini’; Yllka Hoxha and Stiven Kolaj Secondary technical school – Primary school ‘Emin Duraku’, ‘Skender Luarasi’ 8. Prishtinë: Secondary economic school ‘Kadri Vullnet Krasniqi and Adelina Kusaril’ 3. Kaçanik: Berisha -‘Sami Frashëri’ Gymnasium, Petrit Çollaku and Fitore Aliu Secondary school ‘Eqrem Qabej’, 14. Prizren: - ‘Skënderbeu’ Gymnasium, Secondary school ‘Gjin Gazulli’ Petrit Kryeziu – Primary school, ‘Avdyl Primary school ‘Emin Duraku’ Frashëri’ 9. Prishtinë: 4. Ferizaj: Kaltrina Rexhepi and Paulian Nushi 15. Pejë: Njomza Salihi and Florina Ujupi – Primary school ‘Xhemajl Mustafa’, Mehdi Mulaj and Visar Kryeziu – – Primary school ‘Gjon Serreçi’, Primary school ‘Dardania’ Sports hall ‘Karagaç’, Primary school ‘Shaban Hashani’ Gymnasium ‘Dardania’ 10. Malishevë: 16. Podujevë: 5. Skenderaj: Valdet Salihu and Naim Haxhosaj – Arben Sylejmani e Denis Arben Meritë Krasniqi and Behar School ‘ Hasan Berisha’ Mustafa- Primary school ‘Shaban Jashari’, Primary school ‘Hamëz 11. Istog: Jashari’, Secondary technical Lekë Muçaj and Hysen Gara – school ‘Anton Çeta; Competence center. Sylejmani and Denis Sllovinja Secondary school ‘Zenel Hajdini’ Eset Dërguti – Secondary economic school Ermal Gashi ‘Isa Boletini’, Secondary technical 20. Vushtrri: school ‘Fan Noli’ Liridona Hyseni and Ardian Gashi – Sports hall ‘Jeton Tërstena’ 17. Kamenicë: Nektar Zogjani and Lum Ademi 21. Viti: – Secondary school ‘Fan Noli’, Kaltrina Hoxha and Naim Krasniqi – ‘Ismail Qemajli’ Gymnasium ‘Kuvendi i Lezhës’ Gymnasium 18. Fushë Kosovë: Qëndresa Mustafa and Laura Technical support:: Lumezi – Primary school ‘Mihail Dardan Sinani Grameno’ 19. Gjilan: Gresa Musliu and Ardian Lulaj – 01 INTERNEWS KOSOVA Summary Noting the significance of the State security companies to administer the test after the failure of secondary school staff and teachers to appropriately Matura Exam, and bearing in mind the administer the first round of the exam, monitored exam numerous remarks and complaints centers did not give the impression of an academic pertaining to its conduct in the previous environment that provide for unhindered conduct of National years and in the first round of the Matura Exam. exam this year, Internews Kosova and This report contains details of the most common findings, BIRN monitored this process during its which are characteristic for all centers monitored during the second round in 2014. exercise. On 27 June 2014 a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between MEST and KALLXO.com, on the monitoring of the State Matura Exam. Pursuant to this Memorandum of Cooperation, KALLXO.com monitored 36 testing centers in 21 municipalities: Prishtinë, Obiliq, Fushë Kosovë, Podujevë, Kaçanik, Suharekë, Ferizaj, Skenderaj, Lipjan, Mitrovicë, Gjilan, Malishevë, Istog, Deçan, Gjakovë, Prizren, Podujevë, Pejë, Kamenicë, Vushtrri and Klinë. More than 50 reports were gathered from the field,19 of which yielded articles on specific topics. The main article was updated 28 times during exam day, with at least 20 videos and tens of images depicting the situation, as viewed by KALLXO.com monitors. KALLXO.com reports prove that there were significant deficiencies in the monitored testing centers as far as exam process preparation and conduct are concerned. Despite precautionary measures undertaken, such as contracting 02 INTERNEWS KOSOVA KALLXO.COM platforma The online platform www.kallxo.com is a joint project of the organizations Internews Kosova, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, NGO “LENS” and the Anti-Corruption Agency, financially supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The platform offers opportunities for all The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Kosovo citizens to report on corruption, (BIRN) is a media organization specialized organized crime, fraud, conflict of interest in investigative journalism, monitoring of as well as on other cases such as abuse of public services and televised broadcasting. official position, negligence, endanger of human rights of Kosovo citizens or endanger For almost ten years, has BIRN produced and of general interest. broadcasted on Radio-Television of Kosovo the shows “Jeta në Kosovë” and “Drejtësia Internews Kosova (I/KS) is a non- në Kosovë”, published its online daily governmental and non-for-profit newspaper “Jeta në Kosovë”, and published organization, established in 1999. Main the only English newspaper in Kosovo, aim of I/KS is democracy development, “Prishtina Insight”. In the last four years, BIRN support to civil society, development of has also monitored the provision of public independent media, professional journalism services. and investigative reporting in Kosovo and in the region. I/KS, in cooperation with BIRN, produces television shows “Jeta në Kosovë” and “Drejtësia në Kosovë”. 03 INTERNEWS KOSOVA Unjustified absence of administrators KALLXO.com monitors reported that in a Alidema, the MEST officer delegated number of centers, persons responsible in Secondary school “Zenel Hajdini” in for the conduct of the exam failed to Gjilan, who said that it is impossible to Girls were report to duty on exam day. control 200 pupils with only 5 security accompanied to the guards available. One such example is the exam center in toilet by two female “Sami Frashëri” Gymnasium in Prishtina, Alidema also voiced concerns on the MEST officers, who where two exam monitoring officials issue of accompanying of students to were absent. the toilet, since there were no female were tasked with security officers to accompany female ensuring proper Mensur Neziri, the MEST officer assigned students. to this center, told KALLXO.com that conduct of the exam only one of three UP officers assigned Faced with such situation, girls were and not with the to monitor the center was present. Such accompanied to the toilet by two female absences caused problems for both MEST officers, who were tasked with accompanying of exam organization and monitoring in ensuring proper conduct of the exam students to and from this center. and not with the accompanying of students to and from the toilet. the toilet. A similar situation was witnessed in “Kadri Kusari” school in Gjakova, where one of the MEST officials assigned to monitor the exam was absent. Officials from this center provided no explanation to KALLXO.com monitors about the identity of the official or the reasons for his/her absence. During exam day, KALLXO.com monitors received a complaint from Artan 04 INTERNEWS KOSOVA Delays Another problem by KALLXO.com monitors was the late arrival to centers of both MEST staff and exam materials. Monitors reported that in two centers, in Prizren and another in Gjakovë, the exams were postponed due to the late arrival of the tests. KALLXO.com monitor reported that in “Kadri Kusari” in Gjakovë, the exam ran late as the tests arrived only at 09:40, although they were supposed to arrive no later than 09:00. Significant delays were also noted in “Avdyl Frashëri” testing center in Prizren. This school was also used to test the knowledge of students from the Secondary musical school “Lorenc Antoni”. Tests for these students arrived 1 hour and 20 minutes late, as MEST mistakenly mixed tests prepared for this school with those meant for the professional art school. This error on MEST’s behalf created an unpleasant climate in the school, since students had to wait for over 1 hour and 20 minutes, thus also obstructing students from other schools undergoing examination in the same center. 05 INTERNEWS KOSOVA Presence of unauthorized individuals in testing centers KALLXO.com monitors noted the His removal from the center was preceded by Mr. Haxhiu’s loud expressions in the testing center, complaining about presence in testing centers of municipal MEST rules, which allegedly stressed the students. After education directorate officials, mostly considering that the presence of the director was causing a directors of such directorates who are disturbance in the testing center, MEST officials Faton Ismajli eligible to monitor