Evaluate varsity applications based on full STPM results, govt told

 

Students may be deprived of doing a professional course despite having a higher CGPA based on their full STPM results, says Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The higher education ministry has been urged to ensure STPM students who apply for a place in public universities are evaluated based on their full results.

Speaking to FMT, Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin said this was important as it had an impact on the future of these students.

The issue stems from 2020 STPM students having to apply for a place in public universities between Jan 4 and March 31 based on the Semester 1 and 2 results.

The full STPM results were released on July 1, but public universities have already called in students for interviews based on their Semester 1 and 2 results.

“What happens if a STPM student gets better overall results compared with their Semester 1 and 2 results and then wants to change their course in line with the overall results?

“For example, say your Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) for the first two semesters is only 2.7, you may not qualify for a professional course. But your CGPA based on your overall results might enable you to qualify for a professional course.”

Mak said the Semester 2 exams were very challenging for students because they were held last August when students were just adjusting to online learning.

So, he said, Semester 1 and 2 results were not the best reference point to evaluate STPM students.

“In the past, many STPM students had retaken their Semester 2 examinations and scored better results.

“Evaluating students based on the results of their first two semesters is unfair.”

Mak added that STPM students could reapply based on their full results but this could only be done between Aug 9 and 12.

When contacted, a ministry spokesman said public universities were interviewing students based on their Semester 1 and 2 results as there was “no alternative”.

“If we do not interview the students early and wait for the updated results, there will not be enough time for the interview process which takes at least two months.” - FMT