Staff reporter
Students at the Midlands State University have expressed mixed reactions to the new academic calendar that tertiary the Institution has released for the year 2023.
Students are up in arms with the institution because for the first time in their tertiary education life they will be made to sit for examinations mid-semester and at the same time having to sit again at the end of that term.
An insider within the Gweru headquartered university said the idea behind changes to the academic calendar is that the institution is giving students that would have failed some modules enough time to rewrite and catch up with their counterparts.
“Staff members were frustrated with the old system so the institution established this new system to reduce pressure on both staff member and students. As for the students the new system is a blessing in disguise for them because previously one would find themselves preparing for examinations of new modules while under pressure to rewrite old modules that they would have failed” ,said a source from inside the institution.
A student who opted not to be named who is one of those frustrated by the so called new roadmap told Zim GBC News that a lot of weight is being put on the shoulders of the learner. “This new academic calendar will cause a lot of problems and confuse students as they may not have enough time to study for the end of semester examinations”said a student from the faculty of social sciences.
Some lecturers that spoke to this reporter seem to be on the same page as the students arguing that half of the modules offered by the institution cannot be covered effectively under two months. “I don’t think this will work, we are yet to see if this calendar can allow everyone in this institution not to work under pressure”, said a lecturer who opted not to be named.