KIGALI - An undisclosed number of students on the Distance Learning programme at the Kigali Institute of Education (KIE), failed for the second time to graduate yesterday. The students had had their diplomas cancelled last year for allegedly cheating in exams. This was revealed yesterday in an interview with the Vice Rector in charge of Academics, Professor George K. Njoroge, shortly after the graduation ceremony. Over 500 students graduated. Only 15 students of the Mature Distance Learning programme received their Diplomas out of 595 candidates from all disciplines taught at the institution.

The school’s administration last year nullified 273 Diplomas in Mature Distance Learning programme at KIE.

Graduates whose diplomas were cancelled were part of the pioneer 456 candidates of the programme which started in 1998.  Their diplomas were declared ‘null and void’ after the institute’s Senate alleged they had cheated in their final exams.

The Senate, which is the institution’s highest decision-making organ, had said that they cheated in the final supplementary examinations last December and graduated in February, only for an investigation to unearth irregularities later.

The case had also been handed over to the police to investigate the circumstances under which the papers were leaked. "We organized special exams between July 23 and August 2 for these students to retake the modules last year, but some again failed and for that matter can not have their diplomas confirmed,” Njoroge said.

The Vice Rector explained that those who passed were confirmed while the failures have been given another chance to retake the modules. He added that they had made arrangements to enable these students fulfil the requirements and graduate next year.

Njoroge said that he could not disclose the number of those who failed special exams claiming lack of authority but insisted they would be given another chance to retake the modules.

According to him, those who passed the second exams had their diplomas confirmed and there was no need to call them again for the second graduation. "The delay to complete their courses might remain unsolved until they fully fulfil the requirements for them to get valid diplomas,” he said.

Placidie Mudahogora who finally graduated said that it’s absurd for her fellow students who have spent a lot of time studying but failed to graduate.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Dr Daphrose Gahakwa who presided over the graduation ceremony urged them to always be prepared to apply the knowledge acquired to properly address the challenges facing the country.
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