Students worried by new grading system

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: High school students in Kendari expressed concern on Tuesday that a new grading system introduced by the Ministry of National Education would prevent them from graduating.

The new system was introduced through a ministerial decree, which establishes the minimum score (four out of 10) students must achieve on the national final for third-year students.

Alam Syahdu, a third-year student at Kartika high school in Kendari, said he was nervous about scoring a four on the national final.

Another student, Surya, was also concerned. "I am also nervous because the decree rules that students have no chance to take a remedial test."

The head of the Kedari education office said the new scoring system should not make things more difficult for students. The minimum score of four is easy to achieve, especially if students study harder, he said. -- JP