Makerere University Council is set to use alternative modalities of exam assessment. The decision was reached after intensive consultations from the students and Students’ leaders.
Among the suggested modalities include; phased physical assessment, home take, open book, and group assignments.
According to a survey conducted by Guild Academics Minister, Nambassa Shermim with her committee members, most of the students don’t support online assessment. They therefore opted for home take exams or phased physical exams.
“Online assessment tools are a disservice to the common student who may not have access to data and reliable networks. Imagine failing to graduate because one couldn’t afford 20GB of 12% taxed data to take you through the exams,” said a student privy to anonymity.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kakumba said that the University senate is yet to draft the modalities for the assessment though he did not prefer home take examinations.
“We give the Senate time to draft resolutions on exam assessment. But with home taking exams, I see it as inappropriate since we have a well-equipped ICT team that can enhance strong use of Makerere University E-learning system,” Prof. Kakumba said.
“The University should deliberately consider physical exams to all students and should expedite the process of student vaccination to allow phased doing of exams, as the technical team is given time to make MUELE a perfect learning site” Minister Shermim said.
It should be recalled that by the time the University closed, continuing students had not finished their end of semester examinations and this has hindered a continuation of the second semester which would have been done online via Zoom and Google meet.
