Let us take stern action to restore integrity of our examination systems

A few days to Makerere University’s 67th graduation ceremony in February 2017, the Academic Registrar withdrew 58 names from the list of graduands. This was on grounds that these students conspired with some university staff to be included on the final list, well aware that they did not satisfy the minimum academic requirements for the different awards.

Every time, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) releases examination results, be it Primary, Ordinary Level or Advanced Level, it laments about the several examination malpractices.

While releasing the 2016 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education Examination (UACE) results, UNEB withheld results of 64 candidates.

While releasing the 2015 Uganda Certificate of Education Examination (UCE) results, UNEB withheld results for 2,060 candidates, citing malpractices. It is not any different with the boards of technical institutions like Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) and Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board (UNMEB).

It is apparent that some candidates continually attempt to gain unfair advantage over their peers, thus breaching examination guidelines and regulations.
Previously, the most common malpractices were uttering false examination documents, sitting examinations without valid documentation, taking unauthorised materials into an examination room and impersonation.

Other forms of examination malpractice included adding papers to the examination card, taking used or unused answer booklets out of an examination room, plagiarism of coursework and dissertations, essays and projects, non-adherence of lawful instructions given by the invigilator and exchange of answers in or outside the examination room.

An associate of mine narrated to me how he caught a lady in the examination room, with writings all over her thighs.

The culprit claimed that as she was making up early in the morning she quickly remembered what she had read the previous day, and due to limited time, she did not have to waste time looking for paper. Instead, she found it more convenient to write on her thighs!

It is saddening to note that some universities, public and private, have not been spared by the vice. The involvement of academic, administrative and support staff in these institutions makes the challenge a lot more complex to solve.

In the past few weeks, print media has been awash with complaints of a putrid examination system at Makerere University but this is not at Makerere alone. This raises the question: where is the integrity of an examination system ?

In light of this, I have a few modest proposals to solving the problem.

Universities need to establish systems for managing examinations with comprehensive rules and regulations. Such should capture what comprises an examination malpractice, how the culprit should be penalised and who should take action.

I am aware that many universities have scanty, uncoordinated and unclear policies on this. I must salute some universities for efforts taken in stipulating and strictly adhering to the examination regulations.

Universities also need strong examination units as opposed to the poorly staffed ones in comparison to the student numbers. Examination committees should be set up, empowered and facilitated to execute their duties without fear of favour.

Also the culprits (whether staff or students) should be heavily penalised as deterrent action. Student culprits should be notified to all the other universities so that they do not admit them for at least five academic years.

Universities should not hesitate in recalling awards from their graduates once they establish that they were forged grades.

Staff who handle examinations and results should swear an oath of allegiance and those who breach it should be reprimanded. Where need be, some should be prosecuted in the courts of laws. Culprits should be counselled by professional counsellors.

However painful some suggested measures may be, they still are not comparable to the mess that results from hiring unethical, dishonest and corrupt personnel in our public service. We must collaboratively save the examination systems in Uganda.
Mr Matsiko is an administrator, Uganda Christian University.