At least 70 law students at Makerere University are set to face the Examinations and Malpractices, Irregularities, and Appeals Committee to answer allegations of malpractices arising from online exams for the academic year 2020/2021 second semester.
It is reported that while the rest of the university students did physical examinations early this year, leaders from the school of Law requested the management to allow law students to do online examinations.
According to Percy Mpindi the President of the Makerere Law Society, many students have been accused of malpractice though no verdict has been passed yet. She adds that they will ensure that all the affected students get a fair hearing.
However, some of the students affected argue that the first set of online exams was supposed to be taken home with the students being given up to nine hours before submitting their work.
But, for this round of exams, students were given only four hours and allegations indicate that some students submitted similar work.
This is not the first time students are being summoned over malpractice since the adoption of online exam, as last year, six students from the College of Natural Sciences and the School of Education and External Studies were summoned by the Senate over the same.
Online examinations were largely adopted by higher institutions of learning as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, despite concerns from a number of academic dons who questioned whether it was the right timing to fully embrace it or step back and prepare better.
Dr. Julianne Sansa, a lecturer at the College of Computing and Information Science says that institutions still have a long way to ensure efficient supervision during exams.
However, Rev Dr. John Mutayimbwa the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academics at Uganda Christian University-UCU faulted the manner in which online examinations are being set.
According to Makerere University's rules on Examination Malpractice and Irregularities, in case one is found guilty, they are liable to cancellation of their exam and suspension not exceeding two years.
