Reporter exposes scam
Jul 11, 2005
AN undercover investigative story in Sunday Vision of July 10 gave a detailed account of the rot at Makerere University, especially examination malpractices.
By Vision Reporter
AN undercover investigative story in Sunday Vision of July 10 gave a detailed account of the rot at Makerere University, especially examination malpractices.
The ‘Spotlight’ showed how it was possible for a student to hire a competent person, like a graduate, to do exams for them.
The story said lecturers hire non-academic staff like relatives, students, or taxi drivers and touts to supervise exams and sneak out to run private business like consultancies during exams.
The undercover writer said he/she sat for two exams in Mitchell and Lumumba halls because there were no checks to ensure that only genuine students entered the exam rooms.
The writer was allowed into the exam room on the basis of a forged police letter saying he/she had lost the university identity card.
The invigilator, who was clearly not a lecturer, kept the letter after the exam.
Had it been a genuine student the letter would have been needed for another exam.
The undercover writer used a fake examination number, 00U5342/EVE, to sit for Sociology 1203 (Introduction to Sociological Perspectives, Theories and Methods).
The story told of how invigilators spent most of the time reading newspapers as students shared their answers.
The free-sitting arrangement enabled friends to sit next to each other.
For structured (objectives) questions, students reportedly pointed at the correct answer with a pen for the neighbour to see.
For essay questions, they exchanged answer sheets.
Some students reportedly had papers (notes) tucked under their shirts and skirts.
Invigilators reportedly allowed students to write up to 20 minutes past the regulation of three hours.
Students also moved out with question papers contrary to rules.
The Undercover Writer also sat for History 1201 (Themes of East African History Since 1900) on June 28, using a different fake examination number (00U4453/EVE).
Invigilators were tired and did not check, hoping everyone had the requirements.
The students reportedly made outlines of answers on question papers and exchanged them.
Some used permission to go to the toilets to consult notes concealed there or to reach their rooms for answers.
AN undercover investigative story in Sunday Vision of July 10 gave a detailed account of the rot at Makerere University, especially examination malpractices.
The ‘Spotlight’ showed how it was possible for a student to hire a competent person, like a graduate, to do exams for them.
The story said lecturers hire non-academic staff like relatives, students, or taxi drivers and touts to supervise exams and sneak out to run private business like consultancies during exams.
The undercover writer said he/she sat for two exams in Mitchell and Lumumba halls because there were no checks to ensure that only genuine students entered the exam rooms.
The writer was allowed into the exam room on the basis of a forged police letter saying he/she had lost the university identity card.
The invigilator, who was clearly not a lecturer, kept the letter after the exam.
Had it been a genuine student the letter would have been needed for another exam.
The undercover writer used a fake examination number, 00U5342/EVE, to sit for Sociology 1203 (Introduction to Sociological Perspectives, Theories and Methods).
The story told of how invigilators spent most of the time reading newspapers as students shared their answers.
The free-sitting arrangement enabled friends to sit next to each other.
For structured (objectives) questions, students reportedly pointed at the correct answer with a pen for the neighbour to see.
For essay questions, they exchanged answer sheets.
Some students reportedly had papers (notes) tucked under their shirts and skirts.
Invigilators reportedly allowed students to write up to 20 minutes past the regulation of three hours.
Students also moved out with question papers contrary to rules.
The Undercover Writer also sat for History 1201 (Themes of East African History Since 1900) on June 28, using a different fake examination number (00U4453/EVE).
Invigilators were tired and did not check, hoping everyone had the requirements.
The students reportedly made outlines of answers on question papers and exchanged them.
Some used permission to go to the toilets to consult notes concealed there or to reach their rooms for answers.