By Zainab Bakare
The management of the University of Benin has cancelled the university-wide mid-semester Computer-Based Test (CBT) arrangement and replaced it with a mid-semester Continuous Assessment Test (CAT). This assessment is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 22, 2025, to Friday, May 2, 2025.
The Executive Council of the Students’ Union Government informed students of this decision in a memo, stating that it resulted from discussions with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor to eliminate the proposed computer-based tests.
“This outcome is the result of strong and consistent advocacy by the Students’ Union, following productive discussions with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and other relevant stakeholders. We emphasized that assessments must be flexible, accessible, and considerate of students’ realities, and we are pleased to announce that the management has agreed,” the memo stated.
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) confirmed this in a separate memo, affirming the agreement reached between the Students’ Union and the management.
It was agreed that the mid-semester Continuous Assessment will be conducted as planned, with lecturers utilizing their regular class time to assess students in any format they find suitable. Additionally, results of the tests are to be uploaded to the CRPU database before the first semester examinations. Only registered students who have paid their school fees will be allowed to participate in this assessment.
The Executive Council of the Students’ Union Government has urged students to settle their school fees promptly, advising those facing financial difficulties to apply for the NELFUND student loan scheme.
The council reassures students of its commitment to safeguarding their rights, assuring that no student will be excluded from the continuous assessment process.