The Grade 10 exam and Grade 11 selection process in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is an important moment for students. It is when they find out if they can go to Grade 11.
The release of Grade 10 exam results and the Grade 11 selection is a three-month long process that involves many different people, including the Department of Education, school principals, and provincial representatives.
This article will explain the timeline of events, the selection criteria, and why this process is so important for students, parents, and guardians.
Timeline of Events: Grade 10 Exam, Exam Results, and Grade 11 Selection
Here is a step-by-step timeline of the key events related to the Grade 10 exam results and Grade 11 selection process:
October: National Examinations
- Grade 10 students across PNG take their national exams in October each year.
- The week after the exams, selected Grade 10 teachers in each province mark the exams and record the students' scores.
- Provincial Examination Supervisors (PESs) and provincial marking committees coordinate the making in each province
- The PES sends the Grade 10 results to the Measurement Services Division of the National Education Department in Port Moresby.
November: Data Checks and Release of PNG Grade 10 Exam Results
In November, the Measurement Services Division (MSD) of the Department of Education checks the Grade 10 students' scores to make sure they are accurate.
This is a very important step because it makes sure that the student's information is correct before the results are released to the selections.
Once the MSD has checked the scores, they release the results for Grade 10 students to the Grade 11 selection committee and also publish the results online.
This year (2023), the Grade 11 National Selection will take place 4th - 8th of December, 2023, according to the Education Department. But with the exam results coming out on the 8th of December, the selection will take place after the scheduled date. Stay in touch on PNG Insight as we bring you the details.
December: Grade 11 Selection
Two key education entities are involved in the Grade 11 selection process: the General Education Services (GES) of the Department of Education, and school principals or provincial representatives.
- The MSD processes the Grade 10 exam results and makes them available online.
- The GES and principals use these results to select students for Grade 11.
- The selection process can take up to two weeks to finish.
- Once the selection process is finished, the GES publishes the Grade 11 selection list on the Department of Education's website.
Grade 11 Selection: Weighted-Score System vs. Circumstance
Weighted-Score System
The weighted-score system is the primary method for selecting students for Grade 11 in Papua New Guinea. Students are assigned a weighted score based on their performance on the Grade 10 national exams, with higher scores given to more difficult subjects. Students with the highest weighted scores are selected for Grade 11, regardless of their province or other circumstances.
Watch this video to find out how the Education Department uses this system to select students.
Selection by Circumstance
In addition to the weighted score system, there are several other factors that can influence the selection of students for Grade 11. PNG Insight lists the 5 main factors below.
Academic performance:
A student's academic performance on the Grade 10 national exams is still a very important factor in the selection process, even if they are selected based on circumstance.
Number of spaces available:
There are only a limited number of spaces available in secondary and national high schools. Students may miss out on selection for Grade 11 even if they do not have the highest weighted scores.
Parental requests:
Parents and guardians can write to school principals to explain why they want their child to go to a particular school. Principals may consider parental requests when selecting students for Grade 11, but they are not obligated to do so.
Special circumstances:
In some cases, special circumstances such as family reasons or job transfers may allow principals to select students for Grade 11 at their schools. Principals may consider special circumstances when selecting students for Grade 11, but they are not obligated to do so.
Student preferences:
Students can indicate their preferences for secondary and national high schools on their School Leavers Forms (SLF). Principals may consider student preferences when selecting students for Grade 11, but they are not obligated to do so.
Significance of the Grade 10 Exam and Grade 11 Selection Process
The Grade 10 exam and Grade 11 selection process is a very important event in the lives of PNG students, parents, and guardians. The outcome of this process determines a student's eligibility to continue their secondary education and pursue their academic dreams.
For students, the Grade 10 exam and Grade 11 selection process is a crucial milestone in their academic journeys. It is a time for them to reflect on their academic progress and set goals for the future. It is also a time for them to seek support from their parents, teachers, and mentors.
For parents and guardians, the Grade 10 exam and Grade 11 selection process is a time of great anticipation and anxiety. They want their children to succeed and have the best possible opportunities for the future. However, they are also aware of the challenges that their children may face in the competitive selection process.
Conclusion
The Grade 10 exam and Grade 11 selection process in Papua New Guinea is a critical event that shapes the academic journeys of students. The transparency and fairness of this process, along with the dedication of educational authorities, ensure that deserving students receive the opportunities they need to achieve their goals in life.
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Disclaimer
This information is based on PNG Insight's in-depth understanding of the exam process and workings of the education department's exams and selection process over the years. We are not affiliated with the education department, nor do we represent the department.
The education department does not publish the exact date for the release of the exam results and the Grade 11 selection list in the Education Calendar. It only announces the date when the results and selection lists are ready. That means that you will have to depend on news, social media, and PNG education website for the latest on Grade 10 (and Grade 8 and 12) results and selection.
Please note that this information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for official information from the education department.
