By introducing an external state-supervised exam for students the Government wishes to provide a mechanism that will guarantee a minimal quality of the higher education, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told TV Channel 5 on Wednesday.

This measure will enable the certificates for completed studies to not be an equivalent to invested money but the acquired knowledge. This is the main intention and there are no other reasons behind this measure for people to protest, the PM said.

The goal of this reform is rather well-intentioned - the future generations in Macedonia to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Such measure is being applied in many countries, Gruevski said.

He cannot understand the objection of current students who know that they will not be subjected to the state exam, as this measure will be valid for their future peers.

"It would be easier for the Government to say no to the state exam. There will be no protests and we will be at peace. But we look to the future, which is an obligation of each government, to consider the long-run consequences and work for the welfare of own citizens for them to acquire better knowledge, competitive skills in comparison with their peers from Austria, Germany, Britain," the PM said.

Under proposed amendments to the Law on Higher Education, all students will have to take a ‘state exam’ before they complete their studies. The authorities say it will make less able students, or those who might have bribed their way into university, study harder.