Makerere University expels 87 students
Mar 14, 2007
MAKERERE University has expelled 87 students for cheating in last semester's examinations. Over 100 others have been warned after various faculties investigated and discovered different forms of examination malpractice.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
MAKERERE University has expelled 87 students for cheating in last semester's examinations. Over 100 others have been warned after various faculties investigated and discovered different forms of examination malpractice.
A university official said yesterday the highest number was recorded in the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, where officials introduced an “integrity-oriented†examination policy.
A list on the faculty’s notice-board showed that 35 students had been expelled, while 35 others were warned.
“We cannot tolerate students who cheat because it affects the integrity of the university,†said the dean, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba.
“The decision has been taken after thorough investigations. The students were given an opportunity to defend themselves.â€
Other faculties that sent away students are Arts (15), Social Sciences (15), Law (10) and Education (12).
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, confirmed the expulsions. He said the individual students had been informed and could appeal against the decision to the Senate Examination Irregularities Committee.
Cheating is not the only problem facing the 85-year-old institution. Reports that transcripts had been forged led to employers sending back university papers for verification.
Moreover, Makerere University is in serious financial trouble after it increased the salaries for both academic and administrative staff.
“There is a budgetary constraint after most administrative staff got a 100% salary increment and the academic staff also had their salaries increased,†a source said.
The University Council has decided to slash the amount of money sent back to the faculties, a move strongly opposed by deans and directors. Faculties have been getting 51% of the money paid by private students.
In a confidential letter to the deans and directors, the university bursar, Ben Byambabazi, said faculties would start receiving a lesser share.
“This is to inform you that the university is facing financial pressure at the moment. This has been brought about by the recent salary enhancement to staff. The implication is that we shall be operating within a limited ceiling of the funds that come to you in form of transfers,†Byambabazi wrote on March 9.
The source said the faculties rejected the proposal, arguing it would affect their operations. Others complained it was not fair to divert tuition fees to pay non-academic staff like cleaners and drivers.
“How do you use private students' money to pay for people who do not in anyway contribute to the students welfare and learning?†one official asked.
An informed source warned that the university would soon run out of funds to pay salaries and maintain students.
The university was closed down on November 8 when lecturers went on strike over salaries. It was re-opened in February after the university council accepted a pay rise.
According to Byambabazi, the council decided that faculties should only spend money on the most critical programmes.
“The Council will meet at the end of this month to make further considerations. But the salary enhancement has ultimately affected the budget of the university,†said the vice-chancellor.
MAKERERE University has expelled 87 students for cheating in last semester's examinations. Over 100 others have been warned after various faculties investigated and discovered different forms of examination malpractice.
A university official said yesterday the highest number was recorded in the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, where officials introduced an “integrity-oriented†examination policy.
A list on the faculty’s notice-board showed that 35 students had been expelled, while 35 others were warned.
“We cannot tolerate students who cheat because it affects the integrity of the university,†said the dean, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba.
“The decision has been taken after thorough investigations. The students were given an opportunity to defend themselves.â€
Other faculties that sent away students are Arts (15), Social Sciences (15), Law (10) and Education (12).
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, confirmed the expulsions. He said the individual students had been informed and could appeal against the decision to the Senate Examination Irregularities Committee.
Cheating is not the only problem facing the 85-year-old institution. Reports that transcripts had been forged led to employers sending back university papers for verification.
Moreover, Makerere University is in serious financial trouble after it increased the salaries for both academic and administrative staff.
“There is a budgetary constraint after most administrative staff got a 100% salary increment and the academic staff also had their salaries increased,†a source said.
The University Council has decided to slash the amount of money sent back to the faculties, a move strongly opposed by deans and directors. Faculties have been getting 51% of the money paid by private students.
In a confidential letter to the deans and directors, the university bursar, Ben Byambabazi, said faculties would start receiving a lesser share.
“This is to inform you that the university is facing financial pressure at the moment. This has been brought about by the recent salary enhancement to staff. The implication is that we shall be operating within a limited ceiling of the funds that come to you in form of transfers,†Byambabazi wrote on March 9.
The source said the faculties rejected the proposal, arguing it would affect their operations. Others complained it was not fair to divert tuition fees to pay non-academic staff like cleaners and drivers.
“How do you use private students' money to pay for people who do not in anyway contribute to the students welfare and learning?†one official asked.
An informed source warned that the university would soon run out of funds to pay salaries and maintain students.
The university was closed down on November 8 when lecturers went on strike over salaries. It was re-opened in February after the university council accepted a pay rise.
According to Byambabazi, the council decided that faculties should only spend money on the most critical programmes.
“The Council will meet at the end of this month to make further considerations. But the salary enhancement has ultimately affected the budget of the university,†said the vice-chancellor.