Former leader of the opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kizza today tabled a motion seconded by Honorable Kasibante to allow Uganda Christian University to hold online examinations this semester due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Whereas the the motion and idea behind it seems Noble and innovative, we need to take into account the number of students around Uganda who have access to the internet connectivity that would enable them sit these exams. This would therefore introduce inequality in the process and therefore defeat the purpose of the exercise.
This would also require the other universities in the country to implement the same policy which they may not be in position to do at the moment.
Whereas this would also represent innovative approaches to the days challenges, it seems hurried and universities have had long to try these technologies before but didn’t until disaster hit.
The fact that UCU has lobbyists in Parliament is suspect. Such an idea needed to have gone to the National council for higher education first and then also to the university councils countrywide before turning it into a political issue and risking “bustardizing” the whole argument.
Whereas the government of Uganda has invested heavily in internet connectivity around the country through projects like the National backbone infrastructure, alot still needs to be done especially at the last mile to deliver fast and reliable internet connectivity to the population.
UCU should give this project and idea more time and should not use the Covid-19 excuse to disenfranchise a section of the students.
President Yoweri Museveni alsoin his these latest address dismissed these claims as irresponsible in the current context and that they do not qualify as essential at the moment. He has advised them to be patient and exercise social indiscipline.
