University cancels exam results for 163 over cheating

The University of Eldoret cancelled the examination results of about 163 candidates after their marks were interfered with by staff at the university before last year’s graduation.

Vice-Chancellor (VC) Teresa Akenga told the National Assembly’s Education Committee that the interference was detected by the Enterprise Resource Programme (ERP) system, which is tamper proof and has strong checks and balances.

“The system has allowed for recording and detection of any interference and minimised complaints arising from missing marks by students and is continually monitored by a team of relevant and qualified auditors,” said Prof Akenga.

She told the committee chaired by Julius Melly that the university was in the process of inviting students who were affected for a hearing to determine their role in the malpractice.

Prof Akenga disclosed that staff from the university were involved  in altering marks to enable students post good results.

“Those who had scored less marks were increased, while those with supplementary papers were indicated special. Those who had scored 40 marks had those increased to 60 or even more,” she said.

The VC maintained that grading of students at the university was transparently conducted following strict and tightly controlled internal and external quality assurance.

She appeared before the committee alongside her deputy, Ruth Otunga, to explain what caused unrest at the University in February leading to its closure.

The MPs condemned Uasin Gishu Senator Isaac Melly for storming the university to evict the VC, allegedly because she was not from Rift Valley.

The Committee agreed to summon Mr Melly and other MPs to explain their concerns.

The University Council chairman Prof Sarone ole Sena will also appear before the committee to shed more light on all issues raised.

Prof Akenga also surprised Committee members when she told them that her deputy in charge of Administration and Finance Prof Ezekiel Kiprop had altered an advertisement on the qualification of academic staff who were to be promoted.

The Vice-Chancellor said the qualification that had been put in the local media was different from the one that was dispatched to the academic staff.

“After we realized that the requirements that had been set by the university council was different from the one that was advertised the council did a correction that was sent to all lecturers,” Prof Akenga told the committee.

She was accompanied by Deputy Vice-Chancellor academic affairs Ruth Otunga and Prof Kiprop and who did not object to the accusations.

Prof Akenga told the committee that 10 associate professors applied to become full professors and seven were promoted.

The VC added that out of the 23 senior lecturers who sought to become associate professors, 12 were successful.

Prof Akenga denied allegations that there was biased procurement saying that the exercise is strictly guided by the public procurement and disposal Act, throughout the tendering and evaluation committees.