Students at a school in the north of Singapore are forced to retake their Mother Tongue exam if they did not get a distinction, said STOMPer nei nei.

The STOMPer said in an email (August 22):

"Recently, the results of the Mother Tongue 'O' level exams were released.

"Usually schools don't really force their students to retake unless it is on their own accord.

"It is believed that Mother Tongue isn't really a core subject that will aid students who want to go into a Polytechnic course, unlike English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities etc.

"However, in this particular school, students who did not get a distinction are forced to retake their papers.

"Despite students hitting or going beyond their capability, the school totally ignores the decisions of students and parents.

"According to them, the principal states that it is compulsory to retake as students stand a chance of getting a grade higher.

"It doesn't mean that they'll definitely get a distinction if they retake.

"What if they get back the same results, wouldn't they be wasting their time? Is there a guarantee? 

"In this situation, school should encourage students to focus on other core subjects rather than forcing them to get a distinction for Mother Tongue.

"Where are the students' rights?"