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Students at the University of Sierra Leone’s Fourah Bay College (FBC) are expressing growing concern over the university’s exam policies, particularly the rule that requires students who fail one or two references to repeat the entire academic year.
Many students feel that this policy is discouraging and unfair, especially in a time when they are already facing financial hardships.
A concerned individual, who reached out to Born to Blog anonymously, shared the emotional toll this policy has had on them and others in their situation. They explained that students who score between 35 and 39 considered a conditional pass are still not promoted. These students, despite their strong overall performance, must repeat their entire year due to failing one or two references, which feels disheartening to many.
“Imagine having to repeat a whole year just because of one or two references,” the source shared. “It’s tough enough paying over 5 million Leones in fees, and with the way the economy is right now, it feels almost impossible to keep up.”
Despite their efforts to resolve the issue, students have found little support from the university. They’ve written letters, met with high-ranking officials, and even tried to engage influential figures, but their efforts have largely been in vain. “We’ve tried everything, but the university seems determined to stick to its decision,” the source stated. This sense of helplessness has only added to the emotional toll many students are experiencing.
The source also pointed out a difference in policies across different faculties. For example, while FBC holds this strict rule, other institutions, such as IPAM, allow students to pass even with one or two references. This has led to confusion and frustration, especially when it comes to fairness between departments.
Moreover, this situation is taking a toll on students’ mental health. The source expressed deep concern over the emotional strain students are under. “This kind of pressure can lead to depression and even suicide,” the source stated. “It’s really hard for us, and it’s affecting our well-being.”
As exams approach, anxiety is mounting among students who are unsure of their futures. The financial strain, combined with the emotional stress of potentially repeating an academic year, is creating a sense of hopelessness for many.
This information is not 100% correct. It seems like the source hyperbolized his/her report, but really the examination policy of FBC is a concern. You can’t be doing 16 modules and you’re compelled not to have more than two references. That’s a bad policy.
It’s somehow true and I am a victim of it. Should have been among these past graduands but due to this policy I repeated a whole year and it was just a no grade submition, of which I don’t know who was responsible for. We spent 3 months pleading, running up and down different offices, meeting different individual and we wrote different set of letters but it was no good.
The university needs to revisit these policies, if not they will damage so many students’ futures.
It’s unfair to the students. Repeating a whole academic Year for one or two references is really Disheartening.
FBC can still regained its past Glory without imposing such Law… Some Lecturers get pleasure in failing students.
In Sierra Leone, If Yu want learn book, na two sie get Yu future:
WAEC and Lecturers..
If Yu survived WAEC; Dae Lecturers dem na Yu University go discourage Yu sote Yu go want Kpai Yu sef en go Rest.
D university em say
Make we travel instead of waisting money on Education 📌