SWU shows grades of student barred from graduation

CEBU, Philippines - Southwestern University officials yesterday presented before the court the academic records of one of the two nursing students who filed civil case for mandamus and damages against the school after they were not allowed to graduate because of alleged failing grade in one of their subjects.

 Clinical instructor Christi Salares presented the grades of Jervis Dreamond Leonardo and her computation. Leonardo however contested the records presented in court saying it was not the same grades shown to them.

Salares said Leonardo failed in her subject, Clinical Forum 2. Based on the records, Leonardo got 2.43 as preliminary grade; 2.81 for midterm; 2.65 for semi-finals; 3.127 for finals and 3.5 for review.

She explained that the grades were computed based on the formula: one-third for class standing and two-thirds for long examination.

Salares said that Leonardo scored 98 out 160 items in the semifinals for his class standing while only 59 out of 100 items for his long examinations. Based on the scores Leonardo obtained a semifinal grade of 2.65.

Moreover, Salares said that during the final grading Leonardo scored 107 out of 170 or equivalent to 3.3 for the class standing while 46 out of 100 or 3.5 for the long examinations. After the computation Leonardo failed with only 3.127 as final grade.

Salares claimed she tried helping Leonardo by giving him additional 50 points for buying a ticket but it was not enough. Lawyer Joselito Alo, counsel for the complainant, questioned the additional points given to the students for buying tickets as it will affect the integrity of the grading system.

Lawyer Pacita Isugan, chief administrative officer of SWU, defended the additional points saying it was proper as long as it will not contradict the education’s act. She however explained that it was their own discretion.

Leonardo and fellow student Raymart Delos Santos earlier filed a case for mandamus and damages against SWU president Elsa Suralta, Dean Lucris Tan, Jr. of the College of Nursing, Neil Brian Villaraso and Salares.

The students they were not allowed to graduate in spite being included in the list of graduating students in the program. They petitioned before the court to compel the school to present their grades.— Mylen P. Manto/FPL atitude to the school for the opportunity given to them to obtain a college degree. – (FREEMAN)