WALLOWING IN THE MORASS OF DESPONDENCY; THE PERTURBING NATURE OF UG’S GRADING SYSTEM. I write this article not for selfish interest but I write to advocate for all University of Ghana Students who are wallowing in the morass of extreme sadness and pressure about the new grading system. Of course, we crave for a world class university but not to an extent where students study in extreme fear, panic, anguish and despondency! How on earth will a student learn so hard and still fail in Exams? None of us came to the university blockheaded and even if the otherwise is true, none of us wouldn’t be here or admitted to the university at all. The new grading system is not auguring well for majority of students. You may be in your first class, Second class upper or Lower but think about your brother or sister who is struggling with a third class, pass or attempted degree. Also, think about your colleagues who wouldn’t be graduating at all because of some E’s and F’s in their last semester’s results (those in Level 400 now). Frankly speaking, we are born free yet we live in chains. Indeed, the new grading system is extremely rigid and it’s gradually crippling down many extra-curricular activities on campus. Gone were the days where students come in their numbers to cheer sports men and women up for victory in Inter-Halls sports competitions. Gone were the days where we see a lot of students partaking in religious activities, club activities and among others. Today, things have changed. Many social clubs are dying out on campus and we see few students engaging in religious activities, sports and other extra-curricular activities. Taking a look back to the old grading system seems very interesting. I have come to realise majority of us would be very good and excellent students if we were to be using the old grading system where 70% scores you an (A) and UGRC’s are non-scoring. Further, it’s even not surprising to postulate that a student who scores C+ throughout the new grading system can make a First Class student in the old system. How on earth can one compare 7.5 (C+ in new grading system) to 11.25 (A- in old grading system)? Are the two co-equals? It’s even more hurting for those of us in final year. For instance, you get a B and your CGPA remains standstill or sometimes deducted. Worth mentioning, is the issue about the frequent changes in some of our grades from best to worse on the MIS Web page. Is it right to be playing dice with our future? Are we better than our forefathers who in their best knowledge instituted the old grading system? If it’s about quality that the new grading system seeks to achieve, don’t we have quality graduates or alumni (our seniors) who are still itinerating for jobs and still not getting them? Consequently, it will be an affront to the integrity and dignity of our Alumni (seniors) who many can be counted as prominent leaders of our beloved nation, Africa and the world. The new grading system is causing fear and panic among majority of UG students. Sadly to say, it’s alleged that some students go by far attempting to commit suicide in colligation to the worrying nature of the new grading system. The fact is that some of our leaders today wouldn’t have graduated if they were using the new grading system. One can imagine what a 3rd Class would be in the new grading system. Let us hit the nail on the head and be straight-from-the-shoulder. Tell me we are not suffering if you have a conscience. Students are troubled about their grades. With some departments students are performing well however the same cannot be said of other departments. Noteworthy, the rate at which students fail the UGRC’s is nothing to write home about. Only God knows how our papers are been marked. Unfortunately, students are failing yet they are studying hard. What then is the cause? I am not against any individual or whosoever but I am against the rigid nature of the new grading system. My worry is about how we are suffering and struggling to make it in the new grading system yet almost seeming impossible to majority if God (Allah) doesn’t intervene. Why not introduce the A-, B- and among others which used to be in the old system in order to close the class intervals? Why not we check the marking of the UGRC’s or if possible we make it non-scoring as it was from old? As a people of conscience and dignity, it should be our moral collective responsibility to assist each other especially those who suffer from our actions or inactions. “All the fingers are not the same (coequals)”as the old adage asseverates yet they assist each other in times of need for their own collective good and interest. If we are saying our grading system is so rigid thus need a massive revision for our own collective good, that is that and we need no other proof or clairvoyant to corroborate our plight. I know I have spoken the minds of many and those involved who formulated and implemented the new grading system must reconsider their decision and amend it for the best in order to safeguard our future. We need a positive change in our grading system now before nothing can be done about it any longer. Thank you and May God bless us all!!! PHILOSOPHER DICKSON (dicksondenkyi@gmail) & SIR PRINCE
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 11:06:48 +0000
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