Different modes of assessment have been built into the coursework.  These include tests/practical tests, assignments, project work, progress ratings and examinations.  Examinations will be held at the end of each semester.  There are no supplementary examinations.  No special examination will be held for student teachers who are not able to take any paper because of illness or other special reason.  They will be allowed to take the examination only on the next occasion when it is conducted.

Student teachers must successfully complete all the prescribed academic unit requirement as set out by the course curriculum and earn a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 at the end of the final semester of study before qualifying for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.  Student teachers are responsible for ensuring that they register for all the modules and examinations necessary to fulfill the requirements of their course of study.  Student teachers are not allowed to retake an examination in order to improve on the grades of modules they have passed.  The grades for a module taken by any student teachers in all attempts are reflected on the official transcript.  The Postgraduate diploma classification will be based on the CGPA student teachers obtain throughout their course of study as well as performance in Practicum.  Credits earned in other approved institutions will be excluded from CGPA computation.  Under normal circumstances, no candidate will be permitted to take more than two years to complete the programme of study and pass the examination for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education.

Grade Point Average (GPA) System

The Grade Point Average (GPA) system is applicable to all student teachers admitted to Year 1 with effect from the Academic Year 2005-2006.

1.    Grade and grade points are assigned as follows:

2.    The following non-letter grades and notations are also used, but will not be counted in computation of CGPA:

3.    The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) represents the grade average of all modules (including failed
       modules) attempted by a student teacher.

        The computation of CGPA is as follows:

[Grade Point x AU for module 1] + [Grade Point x AU for module X] + ……

[Total AU attempted in all the semesters so far]

5.    An ‘F’ grade obtained in a module, and a new grade attained for the subsequent repeat, will be both reflected on the
       transcript. Both grades will also be counted in the computation of CGPA. No AU is earned for modules with ‘F’  
       grade.

6.    Student teachers are not allowed to repeat any modules taken except those with ‘F’ grade.

7.    The requirements for graduation are as follows:

a)    Successful completion of the prescribed academic unit requirement as set out by the course curriculum.

b)    A minimum CGPA of 2.00 is required at the end of the final semester of study.

8.    The criteria for satisfactory academic standing in any given semester are:

a)    Maintaining a minimum CGPA of 2.00

b)    Completing at least 75% of the normal AU workload

9.    Student teachers with poor standing will be subjected to the following performance review:

a)    Academic Warning – if the CGPA falls below 2.00 for any given semester.

b)    Academic Probation – if the CGPA falls below 2.00 for the following semester

c)    Academic Termination – if the CGPA falls below 2.00 for the 3rd consecutive semester, or at the end of
       the final semester of study. A letter of termination will be issued.

Appeal against termination on the grounds of extenuating circumstances may be made, subject to the following rules:

- the appeal must be submitted to NIE by the end of the 1^stweek of a semester following the termination
- normally only one appeal is allowed per candidature.

10.    A minimum CGPA of 2.00 must be maintained at the end of each semester to qualify for the overloading
         of modules.

11.    The cut-off for PGDE classification is as follows:

Group Endeavours in Service Learning (GESL) Project

Group Endeavours in Service Learning (GESL) is a compulsory project work that all student teachers are required to undertake.  Student teachers in an assigned group are to collaboratively complete a project in a community service within the course of study.  Student teachers will benefit from the GESL experience in acquiring generic knowledge and skills of project management in service-learning.  Groups will showcase their completed projects and a record of GESL involvement will be issued at the end of the programme.

Talks, Seminars, Workshops and Other Activities

During the period of training, student teachers are expected not only to study diligently but also to participate actively in talks, seminars, workshops and other activities organised for them, such as the National Education programme and the Induction Seminar.  These activities form an integral part of the programme.

Plagiarism and Copyright

The Institute advises all student teachers to respect all copyrighted works and encourages the purchase of original textbooks and/or other copyrighted materials that are required for your courses of study. Student teachers should not plagiarise or pass off as one’s own, the writing or ideas of another, without acknowledging or crediting the source from which the ideas are taken.

The Institute takes a serious view of any form of plagiarism and infringement of copyright by student teachers. A contravention of the provisions of the Copyright Act is deemed to be a breach of the Institute’s rules and regulations, which could result in disciplinary action. Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are considered serious offences for which disciplinary penalties will be imposed.