The Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Ibadan, UI, Professor Abel Olayinka has lamented the poor performance of the first year students of the institution in the recently concluded First Semester Examination, saying that 510 of the 2,961 of the 100 level students face withdrawal from the institution due to poor performance.
The affected students were those admitted at the time the Federal Government placed a ban on the conduct of Post-UTME examination and were admitted base on their JAMB and WAEC/NECO results.
In a statement, Olayinka said, “The Senate of the University of Ibadan at its meeting held on Wednesday, 18 October, 2017, considered the results of the First Semester Examinations for the 2016/2017 Session. One major feature of the results was the noticeably poor performance of the 100 level students.
“From our records, 510 of the students out of the 2,961 posted a Cumulative Grade Point Average of less than 1.0. Kindly note that this is the minimum level of performance required to retain studentship here. In other words, 17.2 percent of the 100 level students would have to significantly improve their academic performance in order not to be advised to withdraw from the University at the end of the session”.
An histogram provided by the Vice Chancellor to illustrate the percentage of the students with CGPA less than 1.0 across the faculties in the university shows as follows: Faculty of Arts- 6.9, science-16, Basic Medical Sciences-34.8, Clinical Sciences-5.5, Dentistry-7.1, Public Health-45.8, Forestry-33.3, Social Sciences-8.3, Education-15.4, Veterinary Medicine-26.6, Technology-20.9, Law-2.4, and Pharmacy-12.9.
Stressing that the situation was particularly alarming in the Science-based faculties, and that parts of the second stanza on the University Anthem talks of ‘Greatness won with honest toil’, Olayinka said, “As leaders of this University at this point in time, we have the onerous responsibility of bringing the best out of our students.
“For me as a person, it hurts very deeply when any student is advised to withdraw from the university on account of very poor academic performance. As you are aware, the pass mark in any of your courses is now 45 percent as against 40 percent hitherto. Secondly, Continuous Assessment now accounts for 40 marks out of the maximum 100 marks in each course.
“Moreover, the minimum number of units that you need to pass at the end of the 100 level is now 24 units, as against 20 units previously. All these taken together indicate that the standard is being improved. Students are expected to rise to the occasion by being more focused and always remember the primary reason why you are here.
“One of the measures being put in place, by Senate, is to strengthen our Continuous Assessment Policy. In this respect, there will be at least two tests or assignments conducted during this Semester. The three domains of cognitive, affective and psychomotor are to be taken into consideration in the determination of continuous assessment scores.
“The marks allotted to continuous assessment will be spread to reflect the totality of what students do and could include one or a combination of quizzes, conduct in and out of class, theatre, laboratory, class participation, group work, practical/field work, assignments, class attendance, presentations and tests. Moreover, a week has been set aside in the revised Academic Calendar for Continuous Assessment. This is the period from Monday, 6 November 2017 to Friday, 10 November, 2017,” he explained.
According to the VC, “I hasten to add that the Senate has directed Heads of Departments to implement the strengthened Continuous Assessment Policy in the University. Deans of Faculties will monitor the level of compliance while the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will coordinate”.
