Mxed Reactions Trail OAU's Examination Time-table

Adeniji Mayowa

Since the new Vice Chancellor, Prof Ogunbodede, took over the seat of the highest office in the administration level of Obafemi Awolowo University, Meeting up with other Institutions in terms of academic calendar has been a priority.

The management of the university has made a lot of decisions, some have been favourable to students while some haven't - but they have all been aimed at fostering the academic calendar of the university. The last semester of the 2017/2018 session witnessed an ASUU strike that rocked the larger part of it. Despite a significant number of the academic staff belonging under the ASUU umbrella, the university went on with lectures. Some department that were affected went on with examinations despite little or no lectures being held.  Some had lectures during the long sessional holiday and held examinations.

This semester's examinations have been structured to hold within three weeks. A decision we found out some students find disturbing.

In this report, we interviewed students (didn't give their full names due to some personal reasons) across different lecture theatres who have been preparing for the examinations which is set to commence on Monday, 15th of July.

In an interview with OAU Kilonshele - Dolapo, a part four student of Law, expressed gladness concerning the nature of the examination timetable.

“It’s actually very good. it’s the best I’ve seen. It was well-spaced and so I have ample time to read and prepare," Dolapo said.

Another student of the institution, Emmanuel, who is a part one student of chemistry education, also expressed gladness over the nature of his timetable. "They still spaced my own. The courses didn’t follow each other. And I’m glad I will be finishing on time. I want to go home quickly."

In the same vein, Seun, a final year student of Agricultural economics, shared the opinion that the timetable is conducive. "The examination timetable is okay. We have sufficient time to prepare. We only need to acquaint ourselves with our notes, materials and past questions." The opinion of the comfortableness of the timetable was also shared by Caleb, who is a part one student of the same department.

Likewise, Ayo, a part two student of the department of demography and social statistics, asserted that the timetable is conducive. “I’m starting next week Saturday and ending on August. However, the time table is cool, the courses are well spaced. There are two to three days difference between each course”

However, for James, a part one student of Agricultural extension, the exam timetable was not well structured and is not favourable for him as every of his courses will hold in a week. “The exam timetable is not really favourable. Some people are starting next week but every of mine is upper week and that’s like five courses. Some even have like nine in a week”

Similarly, Emmanuel, a part one student of Accounting department, lamented the disadvantageous nature of his timetable. “The exam timetable is not convenient. On two separate occasions,  one follows the other immediately. I’ll be having two courses in a day. I have Philosophy and Sociology on the 17th and I have Acc 101 and Acc 103 on the 18th of the month.

Jerry, a part two student of Economics also expressed discomfort with the timetable. "I have all my exams in less than 15 days. It's not OK."

In the same manner, a part two student of estate management decried the nature of the timetable. “The time table is not convenient. It wasn’t drafted in the expected format. It was supposed to be well-spaced. I have three exams next week and four the following one."

Furthermore, Victor, a part four student of Urban and regional planning, noted the time table is not convenient as the courses were not well-spaced.

The same sentiment was also shared by Tosin, who is a part two student of Nursing department.