LET results out, HK teachers ‘shocked’ at low pass rate

Happy faces at the LET 2018 review in Bayanihan Centre. Lauraya is in front, with glasses 

By Vir B. Lumicao

The results of last September’s Licensure Examination for Teachers have already been released by the Professional Regulation Commission, and the low pass rate is bringing a sense of foreboding to the teachers’ group that helps administer the test in Hong Kong.

“Kaka-shock, kokonti pa lang nag-message sa akin,” Gemma Aquino Lauraya, president of the National Organization of Teachers said in a chat message. “Meron naman nag-message sa akin, iilan lang sila. Dati andami na pag ganito.”

The PRC said that out of the 90,750 who took the LET in the elementary level overall, only 18,409 or 20.29% passed the board exam. The result is comparatively much better in the secondary level, where 60,803 takers, or 48.03% of the total 126,582 takers, passed the exam.

No separate results for Hong Kong have yet been posted.

Lauraya attributed the poor results to various factors, such as the high passing mark of 75% set by the exam administrator, and the inadequate preparation by the examinees because, she said, the test required more academic brush-up.

The NOPT HK head also pointed to the high standard of competency that the Licensure Board has set, especially for generalist teachers, those aspiring to teach in the country’s public elementary schools.

“Malaking factor din po yong takers mismo, lalo dito sa Hong Kong. Andun po ang taker's educational background din, lalo na ngayong 21st century na ang standard.”

She said the poor results also boiled down to the examinees’ preparedness and attitude.

“Concentration, determination and strong will po kasi yan, eh, hindi lang naman sa review center o mentor nila,” Lauraya said.

She also said that the examinees possibly were not equipped with the desired learning competencies that they should have.

Still, she said, those who passed from Hong Kong deserved a big congratulations, considering the comparative difficulty they face in preparing for the exam. Most, if not all, are employed as domestic helpers.

“Congratulations to all passers, and to those who failed, better luck next time! Make sure to review or study hard before taking the exams,” she said.

A total of 608 examinees took the Special Board Licensure Board Examination for teachers held at the Delia Memorial School Hip Wo in Kwun Tong on Sept 30.

For the first time, an OFW working in mainland China joined the 319 elementary and 289 secondary school examinees who took the annual test. Two traveled from Macau the night before to make sure they were at the venue before 6am, when the exam started.