X-Files: The Lecturer Turned Creative Writer
Dear Ms XXX,
Based upon the recent e-mail(s) from numerous personnel related to the passing mark for LAN/MPW subjects, I have a few things to clarify. I also safely fall back to the two official letters from LAN related to this matter: LAN 10 / 11 Jld. 108 (59) and LAN 10 / 11 Jld. 82 (33). [The letters can be read on the LAN website.]
I hereby make a formal request to the Examination Department upon a few matters related to LAN/MPW passing mark and grading.
Question 1:
How would all the students in XXX be informed about the two different passing marks (the LAN’s 50% and XXX’s 40% passing mark)? Would it be done in writing – letter, notice, poster etc – or verbally etc? Or would it be mentioned in the official transcript etc?
Question 2:
Who will be officially informing the students about the matter? At the moment, students are not officially made aware of the two different passing marks.
Question 3:
If and when students or their parents have questions about the MPW passing mark, whom do they refer to for official and written explanation?
Based upon the many e-mail(s) sent by personnel in XXX since August 2006, I have tried to explain to my students about the two passing marks (40% & 50%) for MPW subjects.
Being students who are very alert, well informed, having access to the LAN official website www.lan.gov.my and having friends from many other colleges, the students asked me a few questions which I have not been able to answer – since there are now two passing marks (LAN’s 50% and XXX’s 40% passing mark).
Below are some of the questions which I now officially ask you for explanation:
Question 4:
A student gets 25/60 for coursework and 15/40 for final exam. What would be written on that student’s transcript? Please illustrate clearly to avoid confusion.
Question 5:
Based upon Question 4, would a student be able to know – solely by looking at the transcript – that s/he did not fulfill the LAN’s requirement of 50% passing mark in case the student wants to transfer his/her credit to another college?
Question 6:
Based upon Question 4 and Question 5, what could the student do if s/he is interested to make sure s/he gets the minimum 50% as required by LAN?
Question 7:
Based upon Question 6, would XXX allow a student who has passed a LAN paper (40%) to retake the same paper?
Question 8:
Based upon Question 7, would the student be resitting or retaking the subject s/he has passed – if the college allows the student to sit for the paper again.
Question 9:
Based upon Question 7 and Question 8, how would the grading be done for the resit/retake? Please illustrate clearly.
Question 10:
Based upon Question 7 and Question 8, what would be the payment to retake/resit a paper which the student has officially passed (40%)?
Question 11:
Based upon Question 4, if the student transfers to another college but his/her LAN credit transfer is rejected – as per request of LAN in its official letter LAN 10 / 11 Jld. 108 (59) and LAN 10 / 11 Jld. 82 (33) – what can the student do?
Question 12:
Based upon Question 11, is the Examination Department of XXX fully aware of the consequences in relation to the college’s image and reputation among the students, ex-students, parents and the public in such a situation?
All the questions above from students (which I do not know the answers) have made me think and ponder upon the next question which involves me personally. This is especially because a few student whom I spoke to, said that if they were to be caught in a situation where their “pass” (40%) is not approved by other colleges for credit transfer, their parents would demand an explanation from me.
Question 13:
Is there any formal assurance from the Examination Department of XXX that I as the lecturer and coordinator for LAN/MPW will not at any time be held responsible for any confusion or issue which might arise from the 40% (XXX’s) & 50% (LAN’s) passing/grading?
I look forward to your kind explanation to clear the matters. Please treat this as very important and urgent.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Uthaya Sankar SB
P/S: If you – or anyone in XXX – are not able to give a clear explanation, may I suggest that we try to contact the personnel at LAN and/or MOHE?
Posted by uthayasb
at 17:15 JST
Updated: Friday, March 2, 2007 08:18 WST