AfriForum Youth has called on Transport Minister Barbara Crisi to take a driving license examination. This initiative stems from the belief of the youth organization that the new computerized tests have made obtaining a driver's license virtually impossible for young people.
According to available data, the national success rate for this test has dropped by almost 30%, and in some provinces, the pass rate has only reached 17%. AfriForum Youth believes that the minister should personally verify her knowledge of traffic rules to confirm the fairness of the current system.
Furthermore, the youth organization plans to take the test alongside the minister to gain insight into the experience of thousands of young citizens facing the new system.
Hanno Koster, a youth leader of AfriForum Youth, noted that any measure aimed at combating corruption and increasing the honesty of the testing process is a positive step. However, he stressed that the system must guarantee the assessment of a candidate's actual knowledge of road traffic rules, not their ability to interpret complex or ambiguous questions.
Many young people who contacted AfriForum Youth claim that some questions are ambiguous, forcing them to retake the test multiple times before passing it successfully.
Koster stated that it is crucial to ensure that drivers possess a deep understanding of traffic rules for the benefit of society. Nevertheless, the presumed drop in pass rates raises legitimate questions about whether the current system is achieving its goals without creating obstacles for future drivers. He called for a clear explanation of the reasons for this visible decline, as well as the presentation of measures ensuring the system's fairness, transparency, and accessibility.
In a letter addressed to the minister, AfriForum Youth requested information regarding the update and translation of educational materials, the conduct of an independent investigation into the low pass rate, and whether the wording of certain questions constitutes an unfair barrier for competent candidates.
Koster added that for many young people, a driver's license is the first step toward further education, job searching, and achieving independence. While they welcome increased system integrity, the public also needs assurances that the system is fair, the educational materials are adequate, and candidates are assessed reasonably based on their knowledge of traffic rules.
The Socialist Party (PS) expressed its desire for the Minister of Education to evaluate the possibility of making national exam re-evaluations free of charge.
There were mentions of evaluation errors in Geography exams, which requires the publication of new guidelines. Furthermore, schools have been facing an intense morning due to the need to deal with guidelines, forms, and re-evaluation processes. Grades for the 9th grade have already been released.
The PS has insisted on the free review of national exams. On the other hand, a group called Exames.Chega pointed to an 'imprudence' on the part of the Minister of Education.
