The Federal Polytechnic, Oko has reverted to writing to ‘pen on paper mode’ of examination for students. Students would have to write the technical courses with pen on paper starting from this second semester.

This is contained in the second semester examination time tables for regular students and that of the Continuing Education Programme, CEP, students released by Uche Onyegbu, chairman, the Examination Committee.

The institution during headship of Godwin Onu, the immediate past rector, adopted the computer-based test, CBT, mode of examination for students

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Oko chapter had been clamouring for a change from the CBT mode to pen on paper.

The CBT mode according to the union could not effectively be used to examine students in the system because of the nature of their courses.

In the second semester examinations for regular and CEP students scheduled to commence on October 30 to November 3, students would be examined in General Nigeria Studies, GNS, courses using CBT.

They would also write other technical courses via pen on paper.

Obinna Nwafor, a HND 2 student of Public Administration criticised the changeover, saying, “pen on paper mode of examination is not in the best interest of students.

“Students’ scripts will start missing again and issues of delays in release of results after examination may return.

“In CBT mode, there is no such thing as missing script and you get your result even before you reach your lodge.

“This is capable of promoting sexual harassment from male lecturers to female students.

“This will be trouble for us, It is either you consent to what a lecturer desires or fail, unlike in CBT mode, where the computer examines, marks and scores you”.

However, Izuchukwu Akuche, the Students’ Union president of the institution, when contacted said the issue had not been finalised as the union was still in dialogue with the authorities.

“We are trying to know if there can be a rethink on the development.”

– Oct. 31, 2018 @ 14:22 GMT |