Croatia launches probe after exam photos surface online

The first day of Croatia's state matura, a crucial national exam for over 28,000 high school graduates, was marred by the appearance of exam materials on social media. Photographs of parts of the Croatian language exam began circulating online around midday, significantly after the test had commenced.

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During today, but well after the start of writing the exam, scans appeared, and with them reports of recording parts of the exam. The Center has taken certain steps to identify the mobile phone from which the scans came. We will also seek an explanation from the school where it happened.

The National Center for External Evaluation of Education (NCVVO) has initiated an investigation to determine the source of the leaked images. Vinko Filipović, the director of NCVVO, confirmed the incident and stated that steps are being taken to identify the mobile phone used to capture and share the scans. The center is also seeking an explanation from the school where the incident occurred.

Filipović assured students that the exam's integrity for the majority remains intact and there is no cause for widespread concern. However, he emphasized that, in accordance with the matura exam regulations, individuals found to be involved in the unauthorized recording and sharing of exam content will face annulment of their exams.

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I can tell the matura students that the exam is not compromised and all those who wrote it will have their exam evaluated in the usual way. In accordance with the Regulations on writing the state matura exam, the exam will be annulled for the participants of the exam recording.

Students are reminded that during the exam, only writing materials and water are permitted on desks, while mobile phones, smartwatches, and other personal belongings must be stored separately. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining exam security in the digital age, even as the NCVVO works to ensure fair evaluation for all participants.

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All prohibited items, mobile phones, smartwatches, and the like, but generally also handbags, are placed in a separate place in the classroom itself.