IS it fair to give student volunteers bad remarks based on how much they raise?

Related link: » Students mocked for not collecting enough money » I did my best, but got a 'black mark' as thanks

Most of the students, teachers, parents and VWO personnel we spoke to were against such a system.

Vibhu Gairola, a second-year junior college student, 18, called it 'disrespectful and offensive'.

'Intention and effort are what counts,' he added.

Miss Ouyang Chuchu, 19, who has just received her A-level results, agreed. 'If we are graded, it would be like a job, like those credit card companies whose staff have quotas to meet.'

First-year JC student Daniel Tan, 17, thinks such a grading system would send the wrong message to students.

'With such a system, students would be collecting to 'score well' with the VWO instead of genuinely wanting to help the community in need,' he said.

Parents were also not in favour.

Housewife Priscilla Kok, who is in her 40s, said: 'For flag days, how much you can collect depends on where you are stationed. You'll probably collect more in Orchard than in the heartland areas.

'It would be unfair to the students to be graded based on the weight of their tins.'

VWO personnel also believe it's the effort, not the money, that counts.

Mr Adrian Lim, corporate services manager for St Luke's Eldercare, said: 'We are happy they are helping out, especially during these tough times.'

Mr Alfred Tan, executive director of the Singapore Children's Society, said: 'Even though some students may just be fulfilling their CIP obligations, we are still appreciative of their efforts.'

But some were for a grading system based on the amount of money collected.

Second-year JC student Chng Xin Xuan, 18, said she knew of students who would sit around in fast-food outlets and wait until the last hour before they start asking for donations.

'(Grading students based on how much they collect) would be a good preventive measure against such behaviour.'

When students get negative remarks or grades from VWOs, teachers we spoke to said they would look into it.

Saint Gabriel Secondary School's teacher in charge of CIP, who gave her name only as Mrs Olsen, said: 'Allocation of CIP hours is based on the feedback given by the organisation. If bad remarks are given, I speak to the student and organisation to clarify the situation first.'

Mr Yeow Yong Keng, 30, the teacher in charge of CIP at Anglican High School, said the VWO's assessment helps him in grading the students for CIP.

'I would speak to the students who did not complete their tasks satisfactorily. At times, I might even ask them to repeat the activity.'

This article was first published in The New Paper.