-
Universities in Kenya have been urged to review academic policies that limit the grades students can earn after repeating failed courses.
-
The call comes aamid growing debate over fairness and academic progression.
Universities in Kenya have been urged to review academic policies that limit the grades students can earn after repeating failed courses, amid growing debate over fairness and academic progression.
The discussion has been fueled by practices at Africa’s leading universities, including University of Cape Town, where students who fail a course may be granted a supplementary examination under specific conditions.
At the South African institution, supplementary examinations are not automatic and require approval from both the faculty and department.
In addition, not all courses offer supplementary examinations. The university employs different approaches when calculating final marks after supplementary examinations.
Depending on the course, the final grade may be based solely on the supplementary examination, the supplementary examination may replace the original exam mark while coursework marks are retained, or the final score may be calculated using a combination of the original examination mark, supplementary examination mark, and coursework performance.
ALSO READ:
Which counties are investing the most in education? A look at Kenya’s ECDE and TVET priorities
Students who miss examinations without authorization or those granted deferred examinations are generally not eligible for supplementary examinations.
Education stakeholders argue that such approaches focus on assessing a student’s current competence rather than permanently penalizing previous academic shortcomings.
The debate has reignited calls for Kenyan universities to reconsider policies that cap grades for students who repeat and subsequently pass a course.
In some institutions, students who retake failed units can only receive a maximum grade of D regardless of their performance in the repeat examination.
ALSO READ:
Nakuru County schools set for 2026 KSSSA pooling games in Njoro
Critics of the policy say it undermines the purpose of examinations, which is to evaluate a student’s understanding and mastery of course content.
They argue that if a student repeats a course, improves significantly and earns grades equivalent to an A, B, or C, that achievement should be reflected in their academic record.
According to education advocates, grade-capping policies can be discouraging and may negatively affect student motivation, particularly for learners who have invested time and effort to improve their academic performance.
They contend that universities should embrace systems that reward demonstrated competence while maintaining academic integrity, rather than enforcing measures perceived as punitive.
The growing conversation is expected to place pressure on university administrators and vice-chancellors to review existing regulations and adopt policies that balance accountability with opportunities for academic redemption and growth.
By Philip Koech
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
