SUN urges Unam to close leakage gaps

The Students’ Union of Namibia (SUN) has said the continuous postponement of examinations hurts students psychologically, knowing that they have prepared just to be told it will be postponed.

This follows an announcement by Unam on Thursday that it had postponed examinations of thirdyear education students at the three Unam campuses, namely Khomasdal, Katima Mulilo and Hifikepunye Pohamba due to alleged exam leakage.

Investigations have since commenced.

The union pointed out that this is not the first incident at Unam as their records revealed that in 2011, 2013, 2014 and many more years, similar situations have occurred; either a lecturer was suspended because of sex for marks or leakage of examination.

SUN president Bernard Kavau said in a press statement yesterday the postponement has financial predicaments because students have to spend extra days in renting facilities once examinations are extended.

“Equally, the university spends a lot in terms of human resources to re-set the examinations as well as re-printing,” he said.

Kavau suggested that Unam implement extensive various modalities to close models of leakage, such as the examinations to be set by external bodies, be it NQA or the Council of Higher Education.

“The university should have a contingency plan, be it having a reserve examination paper or supplementing the leaked paper with the supplementary paper instead of postponing the examination papers. Crime exists only when there is a market. Students should stop being victims of being sold papers, they should rather study hard, attend classes and pass fairly. There is no shortcut to life, and a nation cannot produce teachers who have passed through cheating and are trusted to lead future generations.”

He also advised the university to have a friendly environment where students can report; be it sexual harassment for marks or any alleged leakage of examination before the paper is to be written.