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97 % of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Colombia graduated students between 2019 and 2024 without them taking the Saber Pro test, according to data from the National Government that cross-referenced the information reported to the National System of Higher Education Information (Snies).
The statement was made by the Minister of Education, Daniel Rojas , who explained that this analysis was carried out using information from the Snies graduate registry and the Saber Pro test database.
As a result, 78,756 graduates (3.2%) were identified as having no record of taking the exam, and 5,239 took it after their graduation date . The results varied by level: 40,940 cases (2.6%) were reported at the university level, and 37,816 (4.3%) at the technical and technological level, according to figures cited by the Ministry.
Impact and official reaction
The Ministry of Education has convened technical working groups with 269 institutions to assess the situation and strengthen quality control and measurement mechanisms in higher education.
Although not all the details of the action plan were publicly revealed, greater scrutiny of compliance with Saber Pro as a graduation criterion is expected in the coming years .
In addition, he also mentioned the following measures:
Management of non-cross-recorded data and strengthening of communication with higher education institutions.
Technical debugging of inconsistencies to identify causes and solutions.
Evaluation of adjustments in the processes and information systems between IES, Icfes and Snies.
What does it mean to graduate without Saber Pro?
The Saber Pro state tests (administered by Icfes) are standardized exams designed to measure generic and specific competencies of students who are about to graduate from professional, technical and technological programs.
Its presentation has traditionally been seen as an indicator of quality and a requirement for graduation in many institutions.
However, cross-referencing data between the Snies and the Saber Pro databases shows that, in the last five years, the vast majority of institutions certified degrees without the students having taken this test.
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