EDUCATION
The wall that limits access to the university
Hi! Today I'm going to talk about the “Prueba de Transición Universitaria” (PTU), the test that determines access to university, giving my opinion about it.
During 2019, at the time of the social revolt in Chile, many high school students protested against the “Prueba de Selección Universitaria” (PSU) for various problems that had been ocurring for many years. What was the government's response? They modified the test a bit by removing some content and renamed it "Prueba de Transición Universitaria" (PTU), but it was still the same thing: A multiple selection test that does not measure skills and motivations.
I have always thought that the PTU is a class and segregating test, where each year it demonstrates the inequalities of the educational system, giving us an understanding of the abysmal differences that exist between private and public schools. This test does not measure the education a student received at his or her school, but reflects the context in which he grew up. Therefore, if a student developed in an environment with more resources and access to culture, they will obviously get a better result in the PTU.
On the other hand, if a low-income student does not receive a full and adequate education, he must enroll in a pre-university so that he can learn the content that the school should have taught him. That is, the student will have to pay more for the lack of resources and low quality of his school, which is the fault of the inequality in education that exists in Chile.
Another negative point in this process is that it generates too much fear and anxiety. Many teachers tell their students that "this is the test that will define their future and their lives", increasing young people fear of this process. It is not normal for a student to be completely frightened and nervous the day before the test, without being able to sleep and with nausea. And no, I'm not exaggerating, it's a reality what I'm saying.
It's sad to think how a score can ruin a person's dreams. For fault of this process, many people couldn't study what they really wanted.
Unfortunately it is a standardized, multiple selection and closed response test. It does not measure skills or take personal goals into account. It does not allow opinion and debate. It is not a reliable and transparent process, but it is arbitrary and violent. The PTU only benefits private and market education.
I deeply hope that one day one of the greatest injustices of our educational model will be eradicated: the system of access to university.
What do you think about the PTU/PSU? Were you too scared on the day of the test? Do you think this model of university access should be changed?
Thanks for reading! See you in another post!
Hello!
ResponderEliminarI agree with you the "PSU" or "PTU" are a violent and segregating test. For the same I believe in universal access to university because is necessary to reduce the inequalities in the country
Hi!
ResponderEliminarI very much agree with you. The PTU should be completely eliminated. It does not measure your abilities. It does not measure your knowledge. It is just one more injustice. It makes us, clearly as you said, have to pay more in a high school for not having been able to receive quality education.
The day before the test was not so horrible for me the truth. I had to take the math and science test. The truth was, none of them mattered greatly to me. I know that I am doing badly in math and science, I was not really interested. The horrible day was the next. When it was my turn to take the Language and History test. I couldn't sleep at all. I woke up like 4 hours before, with horrible nausea, I had to drink water with oregano to calm myself (it tastes ugly). It really was a horrible experience. And all because of the pressure that "If I do better, I will not be able to enter university and I will fail." Because you have to be realistic. Your first thought is not "Ah, never mind, I'll give it next year." Rather, you feel like a failure.
That is my opinion and experience.
Hello Juan. It's true your comments and I agree with you in these words “Is a class and segregating test". Unfortunately, PSU/PTU also has demonstrated the economic gap and failed education system. Maybe the method is a test different. I mean, a test that evaluates your skills and only your skills, not a test that evaluates contents learned in pre-university or high school.
ResponderEliminar