Guild approves new UWI grading system

After weeks of discussions, the students Guild at the University of the West Indies (UWI) has accepted the new Grade Point Average (GPA) grading system. The system is expected to be introduced at the start of the next semester. The GPA system raises the passing grade from 1.0 to 2.0, which is supposed to be more in line with international standards. However, a media release from the guild on Saturday revealed the changes were only cosmetic. "The scheme is one that will work in favour of the students," the release said.

The grading system, the guild said, only changes the way the grade is reported and does not interfere with the quality of the students work. "Consequently, an A-worthy essay should remain as such and the new system," the release noted. The guild also noted that a pass degree which would be altered to 2.00 as opposed to 1.00 previously, "will facilitate the upward readjustment of cumulative GPA's under 3.00 to conform to the new standard". "For example 1.00 under the new scheme would be 2.00, 1.50 will be 2.25 and 1.99 will be 2.49," the release stated.

According to the release, fails would also be treated differently-F1, F2 and F3 which will require students to sit supplemental exams. Despite the Guild’s acceptance and approval of the new system, there remains several unanswered questions regarding the current Government Assisted Tertiary Education programme (Gate). The current Gate system applies to students who pass in accordance with the initial GPA system.