Lilia Ivanov
According to her, video surveillance has become a tool to ensure equity in schools. At the initial introduction of the system, the consequences were harsh: in the first year, some 1,300 students were removed from baccalaureate exams. At the time, many candidates did not yet realize that rigor was necessary.
“It took time, years, for us to get used to it, to realize: cameras are not ‘baba yaga’. Cameras don’t do anything, they don’t bite you, they don’t touch you, they don’t yell at you. In fact, they are a tool that protects you and puts all kids on equal footing. There’s no more room for cheating and cheating. It’s no longer dependent on a parent’s wallet, dubious arrangements, or other such machinations. Children have learned over time that you have to prepare for exams. In recent years, they don’t even notice them. The portrait of a lyceum graduate has changed over the years. I see a certain academic maturity in 12th grade students,” Ivanov said in the Educheia podcast.
In her opinion, this transformation has benefited not only the students but also the teachers. The experience of using video surveillance in baccalaureate exams is encouraging authorities to expand the practice. The use of surveillance cameras is currently being tested in the national examinations at the end of grade 9, with the aim of ensuring the same standards of objectivity for upper secondary school students.
It is worth noting that the 2026 Baccalaureate exams take place between June 2 and 19 at 92 exam centers. Around 18,500 candidates are taking part in the session. At the same time, more than 34,000 students are taking the national end-of-gymnasium examinations, which run from June 4 to 15.
