1. Refund Policy & Procedure

a.  Overview

When a student withdraws from a course, SSTC School for Further Education will refund the fees paid by the student according to the following Refund Policy:

b.  Notification and Arrangement

SSTC will inform the student in writing within 3 working days if any of the cases described below (Under No. 3. Withdrawal for Cause) takes place, and SSTC will provide the student with information and details of the alternative course within 7 working days of notifying the student of such circumstances.

c.  Withdrawal for Cause

The student will be entitled to immediately withdraw from the course by giving written notice to SSTC of his/her intention to do so under the following circumstances:

• SSTC fails, for any reason, to commence the Course on the Course Commencement Date;
• SSTC terminates the Course, for any reason, prior to the Course Commencement Date;
• SSTC fails, for any reason, to complete the Course by the Course Completion Date;
• SSTC terminates the Course, for any reason, prior to Course Completion Date; or
• The Student’s Pass application is rejected by ICA.

SSTC will as soon as practicable after receiving the student’s notice of withdrawal, and/or SSTC’s Request for Refund form, specified above (and in any event not later than seven working days after receiving such notice) refund to the student:

• The entire amount of the Course Fees and
• The Miscellaneous Fees stated in the Standard PEI-Student Contract.

d.  Withdrawal without Cause

Where the student withdraws from the course for any reason other than those set out in the above ‘Withdrawal for Cause’ section, SSTC will as soon as practicable after receiving the student’s written notice of withdrawal (and in any event no more than seven working days after receiving such notice) refund to the student the following sums (less any applicable bank administrative charges properly paid/payable under Clause 3 of Standard PEI-Student Contract:

e.  Sums to be refunded

% of the aggregate amount of the Course Fees and Miscellaneous Fees paid under Clause 1.11 and 1.12 of Student PEI-Contract – If student’s written notice of withdrawal is received

100% – (Maximum Refund) More than 30 days before the course commencement date

50% – Before, but not more than 30 days before the course commencement date

10% – After, but not more than 7 days after the course commencement date

5% – More than 7 days after the course commencement date, but not more than 14 days after the course commencement date

0% – More than 14 days after the Commencement Date

f.  Refund Procedure

Once withdrawal/transfer request has been approved by SSTC and if there is any sum of money agreed to be refunded by SSTC as a result, student is to submit Request for Refund Form, together with the original copy of the receipt.

SSTC refunds the agreed sum by cheque issued to student’s name within the period specified in the Refund Policy.

Student acknowledges receipt of the cheque by signing the acknowledgement section of the processed Request for Refund Form.

g. Cancellation of Standard PEI-Student Contract during ‘Cooling-off’ Period

Students have a right to cancel the signed Standard PEI-Student Contract during the cooling-off period of 7 working days by submitting written notice of withdrawal to SSTC and receive the maximum refund amount stipulated under Clause 2.4 of Standard PEI-Student Contract (less any Course Fees consumed by the student and administrative charges stipulated in the Miscellaneous Fees in the Contract, and any applicable bank administrative charges.

2. SSTC Grievances Handling Procedures

1st INSTANCE: Any grievance should be directed by the aggrieved to the relevant person and discussed with him or her. Both students and staff have free access directly to anyone. This direct approach would normally be orally, face to face, or it could also be by email, for example if parents or agents have some grievance. Whatever the outcome, the staff who handled the grievance has to make a brief report on it for record and filing purposes.

2nd INSTANCE: If and when the aggrieved is not satisfied with the handling or outcome of the encounter, he or she can ask for the grievance to be handled by senior management. In this case, the grievance, would have to be put in writing and submitted to the office. It will then be discussed jointly by Senior Staff and the Principal, and the aggrieved would be asked to discuss the grievance in person. A joint discussion would result in an action to be decided. This would then be conveyed to the aggrieved party, in writing.

3rd INSTANCE: Should the aggrieved party still not be satisfied with the decision and action the whole issue would be referred to CASE for mediation and advice.

3. Transfer/Withdrawal/Deferment Policy & Procedure

a. Definition

1. Transfer:          Student changes the course of study but remains as a student of SSTC.
2. Withdrawal:      Student is no longer a student of SSTC with the student contract terminated.
3. Deferment:      Student is still a student of SSTC but new student contract is signed.

b. Policy

• If an intention to transfer/withdraw/defer is expressed to any member of SSTS staff by a student, the student will be clearly briefed on the implication of the status of the student’s pass (if applicable).
• Applications for termination of course (withdrawal), transfer to another course within SSTC (transfer), and deferment of course commencement must be made in writing to SSTC, using standard application forms.
• If the student is under any financial subsidies from third-party organisations, the student must write an official letter to the organisation and fill in necessary forms if applicable.
• Students must provide detailed reasons for transfer/withdrawal/deferment with supporting documents if applicable.
• Once an application is submitted, SSTC will review the application on a fair and reasonable ground and inform the student of the result within 4 weeks from the date of the application.
• If the application is granted and, as a result, there is any unutilised portion of the school fees, standard Refund Policy applies. If additional fees are to be paid to the school, SSTC will issue an invoice or appropriate documents specifying the amount to be paid and payment due date.
• If the student’s pass is required to be cancelled and/or reapplied, SSTC takes the necessary steps and inform the student of any fees to be paid to SSTC or to the third parties.

c. Procedure

1. Student submits Transfer/Withdrawal/Deferment Application Form (available on request) to the Front Desk officer with supporting documents if applicable.
2. The application is forwarded to and reviewed by Programme Manager (PM).
3. In the case of transfer application, entry criteria and availability of vacancy in the new course is checked by Programme Manager.
4. Programme Manager gives student information on fees payable or refundable.
5. Programme Manager writes a letter to the student to reject the application or to effect the transfer.
6. If the application for deferment is approved, SSTC issues a letter of deferment with a validity period.
7. For approved transfer cases, fees already paid for the current course but unutilised are offset against the fees of the new course to be paid by student, and a new Standard PEI-Student Contract is drawn up and signed with the old contract terminated.
8. Student’s pass is cancelled (withdrawal cases) and reapplied (transfer cases) if applicable.
9. If there is any refund to be made by SSTC by its Refund Policy, the students submits Request for Refund form.
10. Refund request is reviewed by accounting department and a cheque is issued to the student’s name.
11. If there are any fees to top up, SSTC issues invoice or any other documents.
12. Student makes a payment for any top-up fees.

4. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

Overview

Academic honesty is a fundamental principle of SSTC as an institution devoted to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, and to respecting the value and dignity of each person. Conduct which breaches academic honesty attacks the integrity of learning and scholarship, contravenes academic values of respect for knowledge, scholarship and scholars, and represents a form of fraud.

Elements of Academic Honesty

1) Legitimate Co-operation
In some courses/units students may legitimately co-operate and collaborate on a project, sharing materials or data collected and discussing the interpretation of such material. Examples of legitimate co-operation and collaboration include:

• informal study/discussion groups;
• discussion of general themes and concepts;
• interpretation of assessment criteria; or
• strengthening and development of academic writing and/or study skills through peer assistance.

2) Forms of Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty or cheating may take a number of forms. These include:
cheating in an examination;

• plagiarism (unauthorized copying from another source);
• collusion (unauthorized co-operation or collaboration);
• recycling (unauthorized re-use of the work submitted to other course/unit); or
• impersonation or procuring impersonation of a student in relation to any assessment task.

3) Cheating in Exams/Tests
A student must not:

• cheat or attempt to cheat in any Exam/Test;
• directly or indirectly assist any other student to cheat;
• communicate with another student or give assistance to, or receive any communication or assistance from, any other student during an Exam/Test;
• read and/or copy or attempt to read and/or copy another student‟s work or other materials during an Exam/Test;
• do anything to assist or enable or attempt to assist or enable another student to read and/or copy work or other materials during an Exam/Test;
• improperly obtain prior knowledge of an Exam/Test paper and use that knowledge in an Exam/Test;
• cause a disturbance, annoyance to or interference with any other student;
• re-enter the examination room after leaving it, unless under supervision approved by an Invigilator during the full period of absence;
• disobey any reasonable direction issued by an Invigilator, lecturer or other authorised person or set forth on an Exam/Test paper, writing book or any notice;
• refuse or fail to answer any reasonable question asked of the student by an Invigilator. Dealing with Alleged Academic Dishonesty
• Failure to comply with the SSTC‟s standards for academic honesty may lead to failure in the assessment task or overall failure in the unit.
• When an allegation is made against a student by a teacher or an Invigilator, the Programme Manager (PM) will conduct an investigation and make a decision within 2 weeks.
• On a confirmed case of dishonesty, PM will take an appropriate action which includes re-submission of work, undertaking another form of assessment, apply a fail grade to the work or to the unit, or
• have the student‟s enrollment terminated.

5. APPEAL POLICY & PROCEDURE

Overview

SSTC exercises utmost care and effort to ensure that all assessment results are accurate. However,
students are allowed to lodge an appeal against Examination results or the awarding of qualifications such
as diplomas or certificates.

Procedure

1. Appeal against Exam (Final Examination in Diploma in Business) Results and/or Failed Unit

• Students can consult the teacher-in-charge or Programme Manager on the Exam results for an initial check, if the student does not agree with the results.
• If a student is not satisfied with the result of the consultation, he/she can lodge an official appeal.
• All appeals must be lodged within 3 working days from the release date of the Examination Results, or the consultation results if applicable, by submitting an Appeal Form to the Front Desk Officer with supporting documents (if any). Appeals made after the deadline will not be entertained.
• The examination paper is marked again by a different assessor within 5 working days.
• The Programme Manager (PM) confirms the result of a second marking after moderation, and submits the result to Examination Board for endorsement (if applicable).
• The endorsed final decision is conveyed to the student in writing within 4 weeks from the date of the Appeal Form being lodged.

2. Appeal against Test (All Other Tests Excluding ‘Exam’) Results and Other Assessment Results

• Students can consult the teacher-in-charge or Programme Manager on the Test results for initial check, if the student does not agree with the results.
• If a student is not satisfied with the result of the consultation, he/she can lodge an official appeal.
• All appeals must be lodged within 3 working days from the release date of the Examination Results, or the consultation results if applicable, by submitting an Appeal Form to the Front Desk Officer with supporting documents (if any). Appeals made after the deadline will not be entertained.
• The examination paper is marked again by a different assessor within 5 working days.
• The Programme Manager (PM) confirms the result of a second marking after moderation.
• The final decision is conveyed to the student in writing within 4 weeks from the date of an Appeal Form being lodged.

6. Privacy Statement

All particulars provided by applicants are solely for the purpose of completing course submission and satisfying conditions of relevant government authorities.

All particulars are kept strictly confidential in the school administration and will not be given to any other party.

7. Service Guarantee

a. We will ensure that all teaching staff have the relevant qualifications.

b. We will ensure that all staff conduct themselves professionally and with integrity.

c. We will ensure quality courses through feedback and continuous improvement.

8. Disclaimer

SSTC School for Further Education uses its best endeavours to ensure all information stored on this website is accurate at the time of publication. However, information may be amended or deleted without notice.

Interested persons should make direct contact with the staff, school or office involved.

The use of this information is at risk of the user. SSTC School for Further Education, its agents or employees expressly disclaim any liability to users for loss of any kind arising directly, or indirectly, out of the use of this information.

No information is intended to convey any offer or placement within SSTC School for Further Education.

9. Declaration

I affirm that all the information given on this website is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Rose Yeo (Ms)
Principal
SSTC School for Further Education