The challenges and managing of examinations in Public Universities in Uganda.

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the challenges of managing of examinations in public universities in Uganda. The objectives of the study were to examine the challenges of internal examination and administration despite external examining and policy mechanisms. A survey research design in which qualitative and quantitative approaches was used to obtained views from eight top managers, 519 Internal Examiners and 180 Administrators who were purposively and conveniently sampled from four public Universities. Questionnaires were administered to Internal Examiners and Administrators; top managers were interviewed and documents analysed. The data obtained were subjected to non - parametric chi-square (χ2) test- of- goodness fit. It was found out that Internal Examiners face daunting challenges in planning and organising examinations; Administrators face challenges in coordinating and controlling of examinations; and the challenges envisaged by Internal Examiners and Administrators result in unnecessary delays which defeat the purposes of external examining and examination policies. It is recommended thus: 1) Internal Examiners should undergo induction and refresher training in planning and organisational management for them to cope with the daunting tasks of managing examinations; 2) Administrators in public universities should be trained and equipped with the leadership and administrative skills. The training should either be in house or out of station; 3) External examining should focus on the whole process rather than on part of the process as it is now in public universities; and 4) Examination policies and regulations should be reviewed regularly to stand the test of time.