University of Ibadan

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

As a result of the on-going indefinite strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the management of Distance Learning Centre, DLC, University of Ibadan, UI, have postponed the outstanding first semester’s examination to the second semester.

In a released to the students signed by the centre’s communication officer, Dayo Olajide, Olajide said, “All outstanding 2016/2017 first semester examinations would be done a week before the commencement of the 2016/2017 second semester examination. A separate timetable would be designed for these outstanding papers”.

The release reads in part: “It is apparent that the recent suspension of the 2016/2017 first semester examinations was not pleasing to DLC learners. But the truth remains that the centre had to comply with the directives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. You would reckon that facilitators on the ODL mode are also lecturers on the regular mode of the university. This is a system peculiarity given that University of Ibadan is a dual mode university. But be assured that that the management is consulting on how to circumvent future occurrences.

“However, an emergency meeting was held after the meetings held with learners at the Moroundiya hall and DLC Computer-Based Testing, CBT, Centre today. The agendum of the meeting was to fashion out modalities to salvage the 2016/2017 academic calendar. As promised during the meeting at the CBT Centre, deployment of first semester continuous assessment, CA, tests would commence as soon as possible. Concerned units in the centre have sprung into work to ensure this takes off successfully. Endeavour to lookout for further information and directives in this regard.

“Also, note that the DLC management is aware that DLC learners travel from distant places, even outside the shores of Nigeria, for the examinations. Many also apply for leave from their places of work to enable them fulfil their academic obligations. From the foregoing, all outstanding 2016/2017 first semester examinations would be done a week before the commencement of the 2016/2017 second semester examination. A separate timetable would be designed for these outstanding papers. A separate timetable would be designed for these outstanding papers. Apparently, the basis for this new arrangement is to save learners the hassle of coming down to complete examinations whenever the strike is called off. You are to note that CAs of affected papers would be deployed this first semester.

“It is our sincere hope that issues surrounding the strike action would be resolved soon and it would eventually be called off. Whilst seeking for your continued cooperation, be assured of the Management’s commitment to eschew elongation of the calendar.

“It is then sufficed to say technically, and given the circumstances, that 2016/2017 first semester examinations have been concluded. You are strongly advised not to relent in continued studying second semester courses. Remember, a DLC learner is a self-paced learner. Please download your course materials and take advantage of the different on-line meditative platforms of the Centre, including those mediated by Academic Advisors”.

Consequent upon this development, the magazine learnt that in line with the directive of the director of the centre, Professor Oyesoji Aremu, deployment of CA for the first semester has commenced since yesterday Monday August 21 2017.