From kindergarten, through primary, high school to university, I have witnessed some of my fellow students, close friends and peers struggle to get promoted to the next level. This journey remains chiefly a course for students who let their academic focus fall away, or ignore the commitment and dedication their studies require, thus ending up swallowing the bitter pill in form of repeating class. 

Students, most especially those who have repeated a class, describe the experience as "a nightmare of extreme proportions, an academic disaster, a shame and wastage of parents’ money.” In primary and secondary school, a student who repeats class is commonly referred to by his peers as "a black sheep of the class”, a dreadful label that can haunts one all year. 

Kamili Ntawuhiganayo, a secondary school teacher, says a student repeating class is mainly as a result of failure to balance one’s studies. He believes students who repeat class tend to waste valuable study time, and as the year draws to an end when they are expected to account for their time in school, some fail to meet the requirements. 

Initially, different schools designed papers known as ‘supplementary exams’ to help academically weak students who don’t qualify for automatic promotion to the next level. But students regarded these exams as simple and therefore a direct ticket to promotion. And as testified by teachers, the nature of supplementary exams, and the students’ perception towards them eventually changed their effectiveness, thus creating a need for revision. 

Livingstone Murekezi, a professional teacher, with over 15 years of experience, says supplementary exams, and other academic favours give students false hope, and a poor foundation for academic excellence. 

"I believe abandoning supplementary exams, and increasing the pass mark would be an effective initiative towards encouraging students to leave their comfort zones and work hard in order to excel,” he explains. 

Several schools have also come out strongly to ‘advise students to repeat’, on top of raising the academic pass mark or even expelling students whose performance is extremely bad. 

Students were at first frightened by this initiative (repeating a class), but they have gradually realised its effectiveness. 

Jackson Nshimiye, a senior five student, testifies that previously before his school adopted the ‘no supplementary exams initiative’, he used to enjoy his comfort zone, and academics weren’t a pressing priority. 

"My fellow students and I used to over relax since we had supplementary exams and other academic favours. However, with the introduction of such severe measures, we were forced not only to abandon our comfort zones, but to work hard so that we’re not expelled from school,” he says. 

He adds, "The anxiety of repeating a class, and dread for dismissal from school has acted as a spur, and enhanced creativity and innovation in our studies. Besides, most students have changed their attitude towards academics, and everyone is committed to meeting the pass mark.”

Failure at school and poor performance is a serious concern among teenagers and their parents. According to parents, a student who neglects his studies and ends up repeating a class is not a poor learner, but an ungrateful child to their parents. 

"Serious students should be aware that their performance does not only affect them, but their parents as well. As parents, we spend sleepless nights, and often make hard decisions to earn a living so that our children can have access to education. Their good performance is our pride, and a reward to our tireless efforts, and the reverse is true,” Betty Mbabazi, a mother of three children. 

Mbabazi argues students to keep their parents in mind while at school, and also be aware that every choice they make towards their academics, one way or the other, affects their parents and guardians financially, morally and socially.

According to academic experts, the consequences of repeating a class witnessed mostly include; students losing self-confidence, feeling discouraged, bullying and negative peer pressure. Students who repeat a class tend to be older than their peers, which eventually affects their self-esteem adversely.

The major factors that cause students to repeat a class may vary from social, to the school environment, psychological or health-related factors. And this ultimately calls for everyone's’ contribution if academic excellence is to be achieved. 

Nevertheless, teachers emphasise that there is no excuse for a student to repeat a class. They argue that there is no obstacle that can stand in the way of a passionate, focused and hardworking student, emphasising that this is all that is required for students to excel.

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ADVICE TO STUDENTS WHO REPEAT CLASS

Benard Mucyo, student: Some students who repeats class sometimes fail to bear the shame and disappointment, thus change school; but this is a poor idea. In my opinion, repeating class should act as a wake-up call to work hard. I advise any student who repeats class to ignore his/her peers and concentrate on improving their academic performance. Besides, it’s good to have a reflection, and see where adjustment is needed.

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Louise Hategeka, teacher: The first thing to do is to change one’s attitude towards repeating a class, and look at it as the best opportunity to improve one’s academic standing. Students should get a big lesson from repeating, which is as a result of poor performance, and aim for better grades. Besides, all it takes is commitment, dedication and hard work to achieve the desired success. 

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Janet Kantengwa, university student: Teachers can play a key role towards helping a student who repeats a class to get back on track. With teachers’ expertise, there is no doubt there can help a student to regain his/her ability to have focus for studies. Although it’s important for students to seek assistance from their teachers; it’s also every teacher’s duty to spot and help those who are academically weak.