Students left in limbo after failing exams

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 07/01/2006 4:30 PM

Slamet Susanto and Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta/Bandarlampung

Thousands of high school students who failed to graduate this year have been left in limbo as they will only be able to go on to higher education in 2007.

Unlike previous years, those who failed the 2006 national exams were not given a second chance to take a second test in order to graduate and take entrance tests at state universities across the country.

Although the government has offered the failed students a Package C test for high school level in the literacy program this year, this would still mean they will have to wait until next year before they can attend university.

The organizing committee of the state university's entrance exam has ruled that all applicants must show their high school diplomas to take the exam.

Eko Budiharjo, a member of the committee organizing the entrance exam for 53 state universities nationwide, admitted that the Package C diploma would not be of any use to the students who failed since it would be too late for them to take this year's entrance exam.

""High school graduates must obtain their diploma,"" he said. ""This means those planning to take this year's Package C program, which is scheduled for August, cannot take the university entrance exam to be held on July 5 and 6.""

In 2005, state universities allowed students who failed the national exam, which was held last June, to take the university entrance exam a month later.

However, they had to show their academic reports and a letter stating their plan to take a second exam that was to be held in August last year.

The Package C test was initially intended for non-formal schooling as the certificate is regarded as the equivalent of a high school diploma.

However, this program would not pave the way for the students failing this year's exams to take the 2006 university entrance exam scheduled for July 5-6 because they would not receive their Package C certificates until September.

The Package C test will take place from Aug. 28 to Aug. 31, and the results will be announced from Sept. 25 to Sept. 29.

Meanwhile, several universities, which had accepted a number of top-ranking students before they failed the national exams, said these students must pass the Package C test this year to be allowed to study in the 2006 academic year.

""They are allowed to enroll but must take the Package C test,"" said Eko, who is also the rector of Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java. ""They will not gain admission if they fail the test.""

He said that among the 888 students who were already accepted by his university based on their academic record, interests and potential, only one failed the 2006 national exam.

The University of Lampung also offers the same facility.

""They will lose their place if they fail the Package C test,"" said Tirza Hanum, a deputy rector of the university.

However, Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University (UGM) has taken a different stance.

The students who were accepted to the university's own entrance test, which was held in April, had to start studying next year after they received their high school diplomas.

""Those who passed UGM's entrance test are required to submit high school diploma during the enrollment period from June 29 to July 4,"" UGM spokesman Suryo Baskoro said.

""There are 16 students who have passed the UGM's entrance test but failed the national exams. We will not wait for them to obtain their diploma in August.""

More than 170,000 of almost two million high school students failed the national exams that took place in May. (02)

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