Q Should the exams authority revise security arrangements?
I am flabbergasted to learn that there is a repeat of loss of examination papers this year, notwithstanding the public outcry in past years and the Examination Board's avowed determination to be rid of this defect. Considering that personnel marking papers are all highly educated and supposedly responsible adults, I find this occurrence unacceptable.
It casts further light on whether the examination is carried out on a professional level worthy of the tremendous efforts put in by students, teachers and parents. If the markers take the marking exercise so cavalierly, what assurance do we have of their reliability to mark papers fairly and consistently to render the test results a valid benchmark of the students' ability? I am interested to know if there are safeguards to ensure markers are discharging their duties professionally and do not differ significantly in standards of marking.
When I took my HK Certificate of Education in the late 1960s, students were allocated to the same examination centres for all their subjects. Students this year are allocated to as many as five or six examination centres. This has added stress and inconvenience to students. The Examination Board has never attempted to shed any light on this aspect.
If good governance is the first priority of the new administration, I suggest the Education Bureau look at this issue and allows a high degree of transparency. Mundane issues such as this sometimes mean more to the general public than lofty ideals discussed in the Legislative Council.
T.C. Ng, North Point
