Belarus Cracks Down on Cheating: Stricter Exam Rules Yield Positive Results

Belarus Tightens Rules on Mobile Phones During Entrance Exams MINSK, BELARUS – The Belarusian government recently implemented stricter rules regarding the use of mobile phones during the country's centralized entrance examinations. This follows a review of previous exam sessions that identified issues related to cheating and other irregularities. According to officials, only a small number of students faced penalties for violating the new regulations. "Only one person was removed from the exam due to a mobile phone, and another for continuing to fill out their answer sheet after time was called," said a representative from the Ministry of Education in a recent government meeting (as seen in a video circulating on social media). This suggests the new measures have been largely successful in deterring cheating. The centralized testing system itself is designed to ensure fairness and transparency. Exam papers are scanned and made available to each student in a private online cabinet. This allows for self-checking and reduces the potential for discrepancies. The system has remained largely unchanged for two years, demonstrating its effectiveness. The government's proactive approach to addressing exam irregularities, combined with the implementation of a robust centralized system, promises a more equitable and transparent examination process for future Belarusian students.