What is Merit-demerit System?

Assalamualaikum everyone!

Want to share some info on merit-demerit system since we've been using this system for rules and regulation in our schools in Malaysia. What is it anyway? Well, to make it simple, it is a system whereby you as teachers record the students' behaviour and their achievements. Merit stands for "Meritable actions" - students earn points. While demerit stands for value of an infraction. By doing infraction the students are losing points and may get penalty. (Teacher access to doing this)

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Aims of merit-demerit system

• To make the students behave and to encourage them to do good deeds and follow school rules.
• To get full cooperation from all teachers since they have big responsibility in doing merit-demerit of the students. 

The system is actually aimed to assist the students to attain good discipline standard and to monitor individual pupil conduct, and is based on the belief the pupils need to be clear about:

                  i.                 The school’s expectations of their conduct;

                 ii.                 The consequences of irresponsible behaviour;

                iii.                The importance of exercising self discipline.The merit points encourage desirable behaviour and contributions to the school, while undesirable behaviour is discouraged by the deduction of points. The points awarded/ deducted may be reviewed by the Discipline Committee on a case by case basis should the need arises.

All pupils start with 75 points in the beginning of the year. Points will be added or deducted accordingly. The merit/ demerit point will begin at 75 points again with the start of a new year.

In addition to the demerit points, corrective actions and consequences as stated in the school rules and regulations would be meted out according to the type(s) of offence.

Consequences will be meted out for all major offences based on the following guidelines:

	Boys	Girls
1st Offence	Caning in class(one stroke) / SRP	Detention (3 days)
2nd Offence	Caning in class(max of 3 strokes) / SRP	Detention (5 days)

Pupils are advised to note the following critical levels:

Points	Action / Consequence
75 points	Commencement point
69 points	Counselling & intervention by Form Teacher Inform/ Meet the parents or guardians if necessary
65 points	Meet the parents Referral to Level Supervision Programme
55 points	Referral to Meet the parents Student Reformative Programme (SRP) Boys : Caning in class Girls : Detention - 5 days Referral to School Counsellor
Below 50 points	Liable for suspension from class Referral to Principal / Vice-Principal

Merit / Demerit Point	Conduct Grade
85 points & above	Excellent
80 - 84 points	Very Good
75 - 79 points	Good
65 - 74 points	Fair
55 - 64 points	Poor

5. Conduct Grades

Besides using the merit/ demerit points to determine the conduct grades of the pupils, the following guidelines and descriptors will also be used: 

Conduct Grade	Descriptors (This provides a pen picture of the pupil deserving of the respective conduct grades)	Snapshot View
Excellent	No major disciplinary records. Shows initiative and displays leadership skills. Assuming leadership positions in Co-curricular activities (CCA) or in class. Maintains exemplary attendance records. Outstanding contribution and performance in CCA. Exemplary involvement in CIP. Fulfills more than the mandatory CIP hours. Strongly supported by positive feedback from school staff. Received award(s) of complimentary nature or formal recognition of commendable acts/behaviours (eg, NYAA, CIAA, RICH Awards). Merit / Demerit points: 85 and above* (refer to supporting evidence).	An Outstanding AMKsian
Very Good	No major disciplinary records. Shows initiative. Maintains good attendance records. Contributes positively to the CCA. Positive involvement in CIP. Fulfills the mandatory CIP hours. Supported by positive feedback from school staff. Merit / Demerit points: 80 – 84* (refer to supporting evidence).	A Well-Rounded AMKsian
Good	No major disciplinary records. Maintains satisfactory attendance records. Satisfactory participation in CCA. Satisfactory involvement in CIP. Merit / Demerit points: 75 – 79* (refer to supporting evidence).	An AMKsian who has Potential.
Fair	Committed a major offence with reference to the school rules. Committed attendance related offences (Truancy; Latecoming; Skip Lessons). Poor participation in CCA. Low level of involvement in CIP. Merit / Demerit points: 65 – 74* (refer to supporting evidence)	An AMKsian who needs Guidance
Poor	Committed more than 1 major offence with reference to the school rules Poor attendance. No participation in CCA. No involvement in CIP. Merit / Demerit points: 55 – 64 or below* (refer to supporting evidence)	An AMKsian who needs Supervision and Monitoring.
Pupils who are assigned a Conduct Grade of “Fair” or “Poor” at the end of the year would not be eligible for the MOE Edusave Awards for Secondary Schools.

The merit/ demerit point system is used as one of the sources to determine the conduct grade during Mid-Year and End of the Year based on the table below. Please take note that the merit/ demerit points are used only as a reference when determining conduct grade. The form teacher reserves the right to assign conduct grade based on the progress and achievement of the pupil for the academic year.

There are more GUIDELINES regarding other rules in school that are using merit demerit system. For example,the students’ attendance in class and school activities, their appearances in school and the use of school premises which are aim to motivate students as well as to concentrate on trading off students' negative actions. (Bad behaviour)