Absent but referred, how absurd

THE EDITOR: I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to raise an issue which affects myself as well as student teachers at Corinth Teachers’ College class of 2001-2003.

I have recently received my results for my final year examination and to my utter surprise, I was ‘referred’ in one particular subject, English Literary Studies. The circumstances surrounding this so called referral is quite a unique one. The said examination was to be done on the day we found out about the murder of our fellow teacher. As a sign of solidarity many of us did not sit that particular examination. So ... for those of you following my story, here comes the question: How can we fail an examination which we never sat? I never even wrote a word or number on my script nor did I sign the register which is passed around during the examination. Then, correct me if I am wrong, that would constitute to my being absent ... wouldn’t it? Wait the story gets funnier ... when I received my result slip at the back was a breakdown as to the grading system used. Lo and behold stated before anything else was: “(ABS) indicates that the candidate was absent from the examination” and also stated, lower down

“REFERRED: 49 and below” So am I to assume that the terms Absent and Referred are synonymous? Is it not odd that we have been ‘Referred’ ... hey at least we scored 49 and below without even writing a single word!... all hail our education system!! My questions are: Who has been given the authoritative powers to be so inclined as to refer me? Can this position be justified? How can someone detached from our situation on the said day sit in his/her office and decide my fate? .. Where were you on the said day when your advice and decision making skills would have been highly appreciated? I guess you were probably “absent” or should I say “referred” from your office! I guess from now on when a pupil is absent for his/her Formative or Summative Evaluation I can “refer” him because he has failed without even trying! ... I am sorry but that’s the message I am receiving from your unjustified, unsanctioned stance on our situation! Much love to you.

SHIVAM MAHADEO
Port-of-Spain