Is a standard university grading possible?
Oct 26, 2010
THE move by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to standardise the grading system in universities has provoked a lot of criticism from education pundits and the public.
By Anthony Olwoch
THE move by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to standardise the grading system in universities has provoked a lot of criticism from education pundits and the public.
Under statutory instrument No. 34 of 2008, the Education Council has set new classifications of awards of degrees, diplomas and certificates across all universities. Although the new move is premised to introduce quality assurance in higher education, it has aroused more questions than answers.
The system assumes that all universities are at the same level of development and have the same quality of staff and infrastructure. With the new system, regardless of the university one attends, you are deemed to be at the same level of competence if you have similar grades. But the reality is that some universities are more developed than others. Universities like Makerere are graded among the best universities in the world while some others are limping.
With the new grading system, educationists argue that it will not be possible for the 92,605 students (according to statistics from Uganda Bureau of Statistics) from all 26 universities in Uganda to sit uniform examinations set and marked by one examination body.
James Okello, the deputy registrar, head of senate division at Makerere University, says: “Universities have different modes of examining their students, which may include course work, continuous assessment, take home essay and end of semester examinations, among others. This makes it hard to harmonise the examination process.â€
However, Patrick Okae, the education officer at the NCHE, says the council does not micro-manage universities because they are autonomous. He says the council only provides guidelines for quality assurance and enforces their implementation.
As a quality assurance mechanism, Okae says the NCHE has issued mandatory guidelines that no university or tertiary institution shall employ a lecturer, instructor or other person recruited for the purpose of teaching or giving instructions to students whose qualifications do not conform to the standards set by the council’s regulations.
Lecturers speak out
Amos Zikusooka, Makerere University
Some students get good degrees yet in reality, they are not up to that level. So, adjusting the marks a little bit will help. It is disappointing to find a student with a first class who does not measure up to the reputation. The issue is for students to be able to live up to the bill. I want to see a first class student truly remaining a 1st class one at the job.â€
Putting the marks higher makes it harder and, therefore, few exceptional students can make it. Adjusting grades is just the first step but there is need to do more. Improve student-lecturer ratios, teaching facilities like lecture rooms, chairs, computers, lighting, water supply, general hygiene and emphasise practical teaching and course works. Lecturers should be available and give students ample time to answer questions and guide them.
Universities should have time to provide career guidance to students, especially those choosing elective courses and specialising in other courses.
The university should also maintain a certain number of part-time and guest lecturers because students cannot rely on academic lecturers alone. They need to learn from practical and field-based lecturers who can help them apply what they learn from class.
Hamid Kiyonga, Islamic University in Uganda
The system will not in any way improve the quality of graduates. Individual universities should develop their own programmes and design curriculum and course structures that will help to produce better graduates.
If they were talking of standardising course contents/outlines, examinations and marking guides, maybe that would help improve the quality. But if they were to do that, they would be compelling universities to sit uniform exams like UNEB yet university systems do not operate like that.
THE move by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to standardise the grading system in universities has provoked a lot of criticism from education pundits and the public.
Under statutory instrument No. 34 of 2008, the Education Council has set new classifications of awards of degrees, diplomas and certificates across all universities. Although the new move is premised to introduce quality assurance in higher education, it has aroused more questions than answers.
The system assumes that all universities are at the same level of development and have the same quality of staff and infrastructure. With the new system, regardless of the university one attends, you are deemed to be at the same level of competence if you have similar grades. But the reality is that some universities are more developed than others. Universities like Makerere are graded among the best universities in the world while some others are limping.
With the new grading system, educationists argue that it will not be possible for the 92,605 students (according to statistics from Uganda Bureau of Statistics) from all 26 universities in Uganda to sit uniform examinations set and marked by one examination body.
James Okello, the deputy registrar, head of senate division at Makerere University, says: “Universities have different modes of examining their students, which may include course work, continuous assessment, take home essay and end of semester examinations, among others. This makes it hard to harmonise the examination process.â€
However, Patrick Okae, the education officer at the NCHE, says the council does not micro-manage universities because they are autonomous. He says the council only provides guidelines for quality assurance and enforces their implementation.
As a quality assurance mechanism, Okae says the NCHE has issued mandatory guidelines that no university or tertiary institution shall employ a lecturer, instructor or other person recruited for the purpose of teaching or giving instructions to students whose qualifications do not conform to the standards set by the council’s regulations.
Lecturers speak out
Amos Zikusooka, Makerere University
Some students get good degrees yet in reality, they are not up to that level. So, adjusting the marks a little bit will help. It is disappointing to find a student with a first class who does not measure up to the reputation. The issue is for students to be able to live up to the bill. I want to see a first class student truly remaining a 1st class one at the job.â€
Putting the marks higher makes it harder and, therefore, few exceptional students can make it. Adjusting grades is just the first step but there is need to do more. Improve student-lecturer ratios, teaching facilities like lecture rooms, chairs, computers, lighting, water supply, general hygiene and emphasise practical teaching and course works. Lecturers should be available and give students ample time to answer questions and guide them.
Universities should have time to provide career guidance to students, especially those choosing elective courses and specialising in other courses.
The university should also maintain a certain number of part-time and guest lecturers because students cannot rely on academic lecturers alone. They need to learn from practical and field-based lecturers who can help them apply what they learn from class.
Hamid Kiyonga, Islamic University in Uganda
The system will not in any way improve the quality of graduates. Individual universities should develop their own programmes and design curriculum and course structures that will help to produce better graduates.
If they were talking of standardising course contents/outlines, examinations and marking guides, maybe that would help improve the quality. But if they were to do that, they would be compelling universities to sit uniform exams like UNEB yet university systems do not operate like that.