Science students set to continue protest

Photo by: Heng Chivoan
University of Health Sciences students protest Saturday against what they say are unfair exam results.

The Phnom Penh Post
Monday, 14 September 2009 15:01 Chhay Channyda and Kim Yuthana

A GROUP of students were set to continue protesting today after rejecting government proposals in response to claims that their university cheated them.

Fewer than half - or 850 - of some 2,000 first-year science students at Phnom Penh's University of Health Science will be allowed back for a second year following exams in August.

Over the weekend, government and university officials suggested that those who failed could retake the entrance exam and repeat their first year, or switch to a different programme within the institution. The students, however, dismissed the idea. They want the university to release the full exam results for each student, many of whom insist they should have passed despite the institution's denials.

"The university released names of passing students without scores," said student representative Sam Sokheng. "Those who did not see their names failed, but we want the school to release all the scores," she said. "I do not believe I failed the exam."

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, supported the students, saying "the university cheated the students" by recruiting more than necessary to study this year, eager for their US$800 tuition fees.

"The fee charged at this university is much higher than at other universities," he said.

Kar Sunbaunat, rector at the university, could not be reached for comment.