Higher Percentage Of Final Year UPSA Students Unlikely To Graduate

University of professional studies Accra (UPSA) has undoubtedly won the confidence of the Ghanaian populace in the pursuit of business education. The school which was established to solely offer professional courses is now offering undergraduate and post graduate degree as well.

In 2011, a new grading system was introduced which has caused more harm than good to the entire students especially final year students resulting in a higher percentage of them not likely to graduate this year.

Information available indicate that 80% of the final year students are in third class and pass and appreciable percentage of them are likely not to graduate in August as a result of incomplete results(IC) and Resits.There is evidence that less than 1% of the entire population of final year students are in first class and second class upper leaving the rest in second class lower division.

We are of the view that this predicament is caused by lack of proper measures put in place to ensure proper running of the new grading system. Lecturers were not trained, students were not also made to understand how the new grading system works. It is pathetic, disheartening, totally confusing and hazardous to students.

Even though lecturers recognize that this system could enhance quality education, they are also with the believe that proper mechanisms and intensive education should have been put in place before the implementation of this system. Students returned from vacation only to realize a change in their results and the excuse they receive was that, they were graded with the old grading system. This is a clear indication that, this system leaves a lot of doubts in the minds of the student body.

The exorbitant fees paid by UPSA students is about twice the fees paid by other public universities and for them to graduate with this harsh grading system makes them uncompetitive in the job market and their dream to pursue higher education may be shattered.

All efforts by students to draw the attention of the university authorities on this disturbing situation proves futile as letters of appeals were sent to the appropriate authorities to correct the anomaly.

We therefore call on the appropriate bodies including ministry of education and other stakeholders to as a matter of urgency intervene before it is too late.

CONCERNED FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF UPSA