Quota system sacrifices quality

Apr 29, 2003

The quota system of admission into public universities and other tertiary Institutions is slated to kick off at the start of the 2003/4 academic year in September.

The quota system of admission into public universities and other tertiary Institutions is slated to kick off at the start of the 2003/4 academic year in September. Under the new system, the Government will be sponsoring only 50 students per district (about 2,650 students) of the 4,000 Government-sponsored students. About 1,200 will be chosen basing on the 'old' merit system.
In 1996, the Government scored high with the introduction of the UPE programme, which has benefited many. Many Ugandans welcomed it. This time, however, the quota system is meeting criticism from a cross-section of Politicians and students, though others fully support it.
Former Justice and Education minister Abu Mayanja advised Government to fund private institutions instead and help recruit more personnel rather than resorting to the quota system, which will retard academic ‘quality’.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Social Services, Betty Akech, State Minister for Higher Education, said the names of the students were to be sent to their home districts, where 50 will be selected. She further hinted that this will not be done in the districts where students sat their final exams.
I feel the concerned parties have not been fully sensitised about this new development. Being a new innovation, time should be taken to consult and compromise with other stakeholders in the Education sector like UNEB, Public Universities Joint Admissions Board (PUJAB), Uganda National Students’ Association and the registrar of births among others to ascertain the viability of the project rather than rushing to it! Starting late November last year, to date, students formerly in S6 throng various sub-county headquarters and the Registrar General’s office to have birth certificates processed, copies of which are required by PUJAB. Many are yet to receive and submit copies of these certificates. A notice at the Registrar General’s office on the fourth floor of Crane Chambers put up in December advised those seeking admission into Makerere to hand in copies of their birth certificates after receiving their admission letters in April. How are such students going to be handled regarding the authenticity of their home districts? Many questions remain unanswered, but I hope the policy-makers will calm the fears of many of us who are uncertain about or next academic destination. It is going to become rather difficult to determine the home districts of some students, who may end up becoming victims of circumstance.
The other query is on the course cut-off points: What is to become of them?
The system looks set to jeopardise the education system in the country unless it is carefully handled. Extensive research must be carried out before implementing it.
MPs Rainer Kafiire (Kibuku) and Rose Munyira (Women, Busia) support the quota system because previously it has been only the ‘powerful schools’ benefiting. Do they mean to say that all those who attend such schools make it to campus on Government sponsorship? What Uganda needs right now is high quality education. Merit should be left to prevail if high education standards are to be maintained in the country. The reason why we all go to school is to achieve academic excellence.
but not because we were born in district X or attended school Y. Jovia may be coming for 'competitive Kampala' but studies in humble Kalangala. She struggles to score 23 points. Will it be fair to sideline her because of coming from a tight district? Then Education is bound to lose meaning and everyone will start thinking of avenues of 'being born in a simpler" district!
If the government cannot completely abandon this policy , then the' places should be awarded basing on the general performance in a given district but not home district. This will promote education in the 'marginalised districts. Better still, the candidates' population in each district also ought to be given some consideration of teachers in the poorly performing districts. The recent teacher transfers will be of benefit. However performance has no connection to have district. Instead, its based on the school9s) one has attended.
Therefore, the government must think twice before scrapping the current merit system for a tricky quota System. According to the UNESCO guidelines , merit is the basis of Academic Excellence. Government should also consider the schools in which candidates did thier exams. Why leave out students who get say 19 points and above yet they're not from traditional 'posh' schools but are born in competitive districts? The quota system will also promote laziness on the part of those born in marginalised districts since they're assured of a berth at Tertiary level!
Uganda is not yet ready for the Quota System! Ends

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