Students fume over Unam exam blunder
University of Namibia (Unam) students have been left frustrated after the institution ordered a rewrite of the inorganic chemistry for educators II exam, following a distribution error that saw different question papers administered across campuses.
A notice issued by the Office of the Registrar on Tuesday confirmed that students who sat for the exam on 31 October at the main campus received a different version of the paper than those at satellite campuses such as Hifikepunye Pohamba (HP) and Katima Mulilo.
“To maintain uniformity and fairness, all students registered for the said module (CHE3862) are hereby requested to rewrite this 1st opportunity paper for the module,” the university said.
The exam has now been rescheduled for 12:00 on Tuesday, 11 November, while the second opportunity date remains unchanged for 19 November.
Students who spoke to Namibian Sun on Wednesday voiced their disappointment over the situation, describing the rewrite as adding unnecessary pressure during an already demanding exam season.
One student wrote on their WhatsApp status: “They gave us different exam question papers. Some wrote first and some wrote second opportunity and we are all going to rewrite... Today they gave linear algebra instead of Euclidean geometry. Unam is busy and unserious.” The message was accompanied by crying emojis.
Unam clarifies
In response to a media enquiry from Namibian Sun, Unam confirmed that a mix-up occurred with the CHE3862 (inorganic chemistry) exam paper after an alternative version was approved but not distributed to the Hifikepunye Pohamba and Katima Mulilo campuses.
Unam corporate communications assistant Lydia Sageus said students at these two campuses wrote the initial paper instead, while those at the main campus sat for the replacement paper.
Sageus said the mistake stemmed from a communication breakdown during the moderation process.
“When the initial paper was sent for external moderation, it was later replaced with an alternative paper. However, due to a communication breakdown, the replacement paper was not circulated,” she confirmed.
Sageus said the coordinating lecturer was on leave at the time, which delayed the discovery of the error until after the exams had been completed.
Following consultations with senior lecturers, she said the university has resolved that all affected students will rewrite the examination on 11 November, with a second opportunity set for 19 November.
“Unam expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and said it is reviewing its internal communication processes to avoid similar incidents in future,” Sageus said.
A notice issued by the Office of the Registrar on Tuesday confirmed that students who sat for the exam on 31 October at the main campus received a different version of the paper than those at satellite campuses such as Hifikepunye Pohamba (HP) and Katima Mulilo.
“To maintain uniformity and fairness, all students registered for the said module (CHE3862) are hereby requested to rewrite this 1st opportunity paper for the module,” the university said.
The exam has now been rescheduled for 12:00 on Tuesday, 11 November, while the second opportunity date remains unchanged for 19 November.
Students who spoke to Namibian Sun on Wednesday voiced their disappointment over the situation, describing the rewrite as adding unnecessary pressure during an already demanding exam season.
One student wrote on their WhatsApp status: “They gave us different exam question papers. Some wrote first and some wrote second opportunity and we are all going to rewrite... Today they gave linear algebra instead of Euclidean geometry. Unam is busy and unserious.” The message was accompanied by crying emojis.
Unam clarifies
In response to a media enquiry from Namibian Sun, Unam confirmed that a mix-up occurred with the CHE3862 (inorganic chemistry) exam paper after an alternative version was approved but not distributed to the Hifikepunye Pohamba and Katima Mulilo campuses.
Unam corporate communications assistant Lydia Sageus said students at these two campuses wrote the initial paper instead, while those at the main campus sat for the replacement paper.
Sageus said the mistake stemmed from a communication breakdown during the moderation process.
“When the initial paper was sent for external moderation, it was later replaced with an alternative paper. However, due to a communication breakdown, the replacement paper was not circulated,” she confirmed.
Sageus said the coordinating lecturer was on leave at the time, which delayed the discovery of the error until after the exams had been completed.
Following consultations with senior lecturers, she said the university has resolved that all affected students will rewrite the examination on 11 November, with a second opportunity set for 19 November.
“Unam expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and said it is reviewing its internal communication processes to avoid similar incidents in future,” Sageus said.
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