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The Students Integrity Circle Movement (S.I.C.M) of Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST) has raised serious concerns over the alarming failure rates recorded in the first semester examinations.
This development has sparked widespread debate and threatens to tarnish the university’s academic reputation.
According to a recent survey conducted by S.I.C.M, systemic flaws within the institution are significantly contributing to these academic failures. Key issues identified include administrative inefficiencies, errors in examination processing, and poor communication channels.
Additionally, the absence of an elected Students’ Union has deprived students of vital representation, leaving them without a platform to voice their concerns or advocate for their rights.
Key Findings from the Student Survey include:
Challenges in Fee Payment and Registration
Duplicate Matriculation Numbers: Many students reported sharing matriculation numbers, leading to complications during fee payments.
Banking System Failures: Repeated banking system failures caused delays, preventing students from paying fees on time.
Finance Department Delays: The late issuance of examination passes and registration delays hindered students’ ability to sit for exams, despite having paid fees.
Exclusion from Examinations: Administrative inefficiencies resulted in some students being unjustly denied entry to examination halls.
Examination Booklet Coding and Decoding Errors
Mismanagement of Grades: Errors in coding and decoding examination booklets led to misplaced names and incorrect grades.
Lack of Proper Verification: The Examination Office failed to conduct thorough cross-checks before releasing results, resulting in unjustified failures.
Unfulfilled Promises on Continuous Assessment Grades
The administration had committed to reviewing and correcting continuous assessment (CA) grades but failed to implement these adjustments, negatively impacting students’ overall performance.
The university’s ineffective communication strategies leave students uninformed about policies, deadlines, and important updates, hampering their academic planning.
The ongoing absence of a democratically elected Students’ Union denies students a formal platform to express concerns and negotiate with university authorities.
To restore trust and improve academic standards, S.I.C.M recommends the following measures:
Immediate Resolution of Fee and Registration Issues
Streamline the fee payment process and rectify issues related to duplicate matriculation numbers.
Ensure that banking partners maintain reliable systems to prevent delays.
Examination Process Reforms
Implement stricter verification procedures for examination booklet coding and decoding.
Establish an independent review committee to audit grades and correct errors before results are published.
Transparency in continuous assessment.
Fulfill promises to review and adjust CA grades as necessary, ensuring fairness and accuracy.
Restoration of Student Union Elections
Allow democratic elections for the Students’ Union to empower students and facilitate meaningful dialogue with university management.
The high failure rates are not merely an academic concern but reflect deeper administrative and procedural shortcomings. S.I.C.M urges the university administration to take immediate, decisive action to address these challenges, uphold academic integrity, and protect the institution’s reputation. Collaborative efforts among students, faculty, and management are essential to fostering a fair, transparent, and effective academic environment.
