An alarming number of assignments went unmarked during the first semester at the University of South Africa (Unisa). Out of the 919 986 assignments submitted by Unisa students, a staggering 385 664 assignments were not assessed.
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Additionally, nearly 150 000 out of 386 037 students fell short of passing more than half of their modules in 2022. This outcome includes a troubling subset of 37 813 students who received bursaries from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), yet were unable to pass a single module.
According to court documents submitted by Professor Steward Mothata, the suspended registrar of Unisa, a considerable quantity of assignments submitted by students at the university were not marked during the first semester, as reported by Times Live. These revelations come as Mothata seeks a declaration from the Pretoria High Court stating that the university council is no longer ‘properly constituted’ due to the resignations of several members.
Mothata himself was placed on precautionary suspension by Unisa’s vice-chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, on 5 June 2023, based on allegations of breaching confidentiality, abuse of office, dishonesty and insubordination. Additional accusations were made, including claims of sabotaging the academic project and dereliction of duty for failing to provide governance advice to the council, its committees and LenkaBula.
This suspension follows an independent assessment conducted by Professor Themba Mosia, who recommended placing Unisa under administration and relieving both the council and management of their duties. The report’s findings have contributed to the current legal proceedings initiated by Mothata.
Professor Steward Mothata’s application regarding the unmarked assignments at Unisa is scheduled to be heard on 11 July 2023. A table with the figures for the unmarked assignments, included as an attachment to Mothata’s court papers, covers the period until the end of the previous month.
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In his affidavit, Mothata emphasised that despite the exams already commencing, students’ assignments had not been marked. He expressed concern that without the marked and returned assignments, students might repeat the same errors made in their assignments and face a higher risk of failing their courses.
‘The prevailing situation can simply not be allowed to continue. It has to be said that Unisa is part funded through public funds and the majority of its student population come[s] from impoverished backgrounds.’
‘Unisa is in such a shambolic state due to poor governance by council and mismanagement by the vice-chancellor, the result of which is also a dismal failure by her to ensure that students’ assignments are marked timeously prior to them sitting for the final exams.’
‘Simply put, the students take final exams without any form of qualitative academic instruction. The prospects of success in the circumstances are extremely remote,’ he said.
Mothata stated that this situation presents a clear case of flagrant infringement on the constitution.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Mothata said students who had their assignments left unmarked were expressing their discontent. He further questioned the purpose of investing time and effort in writing assignments if there is no provision for feedback.
He added, ‘The marks obtained in assignments for most modules form part of a student’s year mark. Students need to obtain a certain percentage in their assignments to be admitted to write the exams.’
Unisa’s assessment policy explicitly emphasises the necessity of providing feedback to students on their assignments before they proceed to write exams. The policy underscores the crucial role of instructional feedback in the learning process, highlighting that lecturers have the responsibility to offer timely and constructive feedback to address any misunderstandings that may have arisen.
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