Because more and more students are receiving help with their final exams via ChatGPT, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is now changing the rules: From the coming school year, around 55,000 school leavers from all types of schools will no longer have a crucial diploma as part of their final exam.
The so-called VWAs (pre-scientific theses) at secondary schools, diploma theses at vocational secondary schools (BHS) and final theses at vocational secondary schools (BMS) were previously mandatory parts of the Matura or final examinations.
But for as many as 55,000 students from the next school year 2024/2025, everything could be different: Minister of Education Martin Polaschek is already pulling the string before the results memorandum from a group of experts appointed by him is published next week: “We will implement the mandatory VWA! A first step towards more freedom and openness at Matura.”
Each year, at least approximately 17,000 AHS graduates and 10,000 to 15,000 BMS graduate theses are affected by this dramatic change. A solution must also be found or further developed for the approximately 23,000 theses at the BHS.
The background: More and more students are using artificial intelligence for this part of the Matura. And apparently there has been fraud with ChatGPT. Or as the ministry technically puts it: “Due to rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence, this work and the current design of this work have been repeatedly questioned in recent months.”
As an alternative to the VWA, in the future an oral high school diploma in another subject will have to be obtained. There is also still a voluntary option. The details must be discussed and decided with the green coalition partner. We’ll see if it depends on the National Council election…
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
