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52 dropped from PTD programme

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 52 participants who are undergoing a special course to become Administration and Diplomatic Officers (PTD) have been dropped from the programme.

A source who was quoted by a news portal said those who are dropped include four contract workers who are now jobless and 48 civil servants who are forced to return to their old jobs.

The contract termination took place after National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) and Public Service Department (PSD) increased the passing grade for the Diploma in Public Administration Postgraduate programme.

“They were told last Tuesday that the passing grade has been changed from B to A- before they were given the termination letters on Friday and were asked to vacate the hostel in INTAN today.

“This decision came when they’re already in their seventh month of the programme which started in April,” the source said.

The 10-month course involved 86 participants and those who were dropped include 31 female, 21 male, five of them are PhD holders and 20 degree holders.

Another source said the participants were shocked to receive the termination letters as they are almost at the end of the programme.

“Since the beginning of the programme, they were told that the passing grade was B. But now, it has been changed to A-, and not long after, they received the termination letters.

“They feel that this decision is unfair because they’re almost done with the programme. Even worse, the four contract workers are now jobless,” the source said.

Meanwhile, INTAN director Datuk Suriani Ahmad confirmed the matter, saying that the said participants had been dropped from the programme.

She said the decision to increase the passing grade was made together with JPA. The participants were expected to score higher based on their job experience.

“They enrolled in this programme through oral evaluation. Under normal circumstances, PTD appointments are made through PSD courses and upon completion, they will enter the Grade 41 service.

“However, the participants joined gradually from various grades, including 41, 44, 48, 54 and even JUSA.

“Since they are special, we expect more from them because they have working experience,” she said.

Suriani also said that they should have worked harder since day one to obtain Grade A.

“When we informed them on their performance two months ago, we told them their scores did not meet our expectations. We told them to improve,” she said.

Source: NST