The issue of whether or not students of Uganda Christian University (UCU) will do their take home exams seems to have been conclusively decided by the President of Uganda.
Earlier on during the day, the university tweeted that there would be “some good news loading”, expressing optimism by the university that by the end of today, a positive decision will be made accepting that the examinations take place.
A debated ensured in the parliament during the day, but was not conclusive on the matter. However, the president has set definitive position on the fate of the exams.
“We are not going to allow them, so it is not a negotiation” he said. This was made following back and forth interactions between him and the Minister for Education, Janet Kataha during today’s address on COVID19.
“UCU is the one that was really adamant” she said, while revealing that the university has made continued attempts to appeal to the leadership such that the examinations be allowed to proceed.
“Some were trying to convince the leadership of the university that it will be unfair to have some of the students take exams and others failed” she added.
She further advised that the university “will understand that really we are not just stopping you to do what you want to do but we are trying to help you understand that what is important in this period is to be safe and healthy until we get out of this crisis”.
“They can just have some patience. When the schools and universities reopen, then everybody can take the exams at the same time” Hon Janet Museveni continued.
The president resounded that the university will not be allowed to do the exam, and that “we must observe the health guidelines without danger”, while quoting scripture for the Christian institution that “there is time for everything” as quoted from the Book of Ecclesiastics.
He also raised his skepticism against the exams “but this doing exams online, who invigilates?” he wondered. He also expressed fears of people hiring what he called “mercenaries” to do the exams on behalf of the students.
