A growing number of students enrolled at the Law Development Centre (LDC) find themselves facing an uncertain future amidst a swirling controversy surrounding their exam results. The institution, however, appears to downplay the concerns raised by students, adding to the sense of unease and frustration among the affected individuals.
The turmoil escalated on March 13 when Stephanie Lukwanzi, the LDC’s academic registrar, sent out a general email to students, inviting them for an urgent meeting at the Kampala Campus. The email listed 45 student registration numbers from the Mbarara Campus, hinting at potential issues with their exam results.
According to reports from several students who attended the meeting, LDC authorities informed them that they had fallen below the pass mark in certain subjects, necessitating a redo of the failed exams. This revelation came as a shock to many students who had already celebrated completing the bar course, raising questions about the fairness and competence of the institution’s administration.
The communication regarding the affected students came on March 15, despite exam results being available on the portals since February 7. Students allege discrepancies in the results, with some claiming that additional failed subjects were added, leading to their overall failure in the course.
Instances have been cited where students were on the verge of graduation, only to be informed of errors in their marks allocation, jeopardizing their academic journey. The lack of transparency and accountability in handling these issues has further fueled discontent among the student body.
In response to the concerns raised, the LDC’s public relations officer, Mr. Frank Obonyo, penned an article titled “There is no scandal at LDC” in defense of the institution. However, students dismiss this response as reflective of the dismissive attitude they allege to have faced from LDC staff.
Despite claims of resolving issues through supplementary exams, students argue that the institution has sidestepped their fundamental rights to a fair hearing, as stipulated in the Rules governing the Bar Course. The stringent rules governing appeals and verifications leave many students feeling helpless and deprived of proper recourse.
While LDC maintains that students are bound by the rules upon enrollment, students argue that they have no alternative since LDC is the sole institution offering the Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. This disparity in power dynamics exacerbates the frustration felt by students.
Concerns persist as Mr. Obonyo refutes claims of discrepancies in marks changing on portals and assures students that missing marks have been addressed. However, students report discrepancies between Mr. Obonyo’s assertions and the reality on the ground, with missing marks still unresolved.
The delay in resolving these issues raises suspicions among students, who fear a repeat of past incidents where LDC allegedly lost students’ marks, forcing them to repeat exams unfairly. This history of mishandling exam results adds to the apprehension surrounding the current situation.
Amidst the turmoil, students call for a thorough overhaul of the institution’s administrative processes, highlighting the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for LDC to address students’ grievances and restore trust in its academic integrity.
