Supplementary examination opportunity at Jimma Institute of Health Science

Abstract

Abstract: Academically dismissed students at the Jimma Institute of Health Sciences (JIHS) during 1984/85 to 1993/94 who were given supplementary examination opportunities were studied based on the students’ performance experiences and opinions of the academic staff and of experiences other sister institutions (Addis Ababa University (AAU), Addis Ababa Commercial College (AACC), Kotebe College of Teachers Education (KCTE), Wondo Genet College of Forestry (WGCF), and Jemma College of Agriculture (JA). Only 25.1% of those who took the supplementary examination (supp) were successful. The rest (majority) could not complete their study, which was highly significant (p<0.01) despite the opportunity given. On the other hand, most instructors (75%) believed that students would benefit from supplementary examinations. Most of the training institutions under this study were found exercising readmission policies (AAU, KCTE, WGCF, JA), while JIHS adheres to supplementary examination only. Only 13.5% of the total of academic dismissals are saved through supplementary examinations. Thus the supplementary examination opportunity has given very little assistance in reducing academic attrition, (p<0.01). It cannot be concluded from this data that the supplementary examination experience was a success. From the actual data of very low student performance in the supplementary examinations, the instructors view which favour giving supplementary examinations, and from the experience of different sister institutions, it was suggested that the two options (supp and readmission) be practised side by side at JIHS to alleviate student attrition. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1999;13(2):115125]