Croatian teachers petition against changes to state matura essay

Croatian language teachers have launched an online petition titled ‘Appeal for a Book at the Matura’ after the National Center for External Evaluation of Education (NCVVO) proposed changes to the state graduation exam. The proposal would allow students to choose between writing an essay on a literary work or a discursive essay on a topic from everyday life, such as ecology or social media.

Critics, including professors Korana Svilar and Alma Majcenović, argue that this change may discourage reading and diminish the importance of literature in education. They express concern that literary works will only be tested through multiple-choice questions, which may fail to assess critical thinking and deep text interpretation. The petition has gathered over 1,500 signatures from professionals and the public.

Educators also highlighted a decline in vocabulary and literacy among students, noting that many struggle to express complex emotions in their native language. They argue that the mandatory literary essay serves as a vital incentive for reading and intellectual development in an era of short-form digital content.