KNUST has organised a workshop for its affiliates on the theme, “Ensuring Quality in Private University Colleges: the Examination Factor”, as a way of building the capacity of the staff of these university colleges.

The workshop which was facilitated by three resource persons – Professor Kafui Etsey, Educational Foundation, University of Cape Coast; Mr. Gariba Akanwariwiak, KNUST Examinations Audit Team and Mr. Emmanuel Baah-Ennumh, KNUST Examinations Audit Team – focused on issues like test construction, auditing university examination results and the role of examination officers.

Professor Kafui Estey in his presentation drew participants’ attention to the common shortcomings in test construction. He explained that many test items do not task students enough. Participants had the opportunity of learning the principles of writing good test items. They were also taught the need to develop and submit marking schemes along with the examination questions.

Mr. Gariba Akanwariwiak also talked about the need for university examination results to be audited to ensure high integrity in the process leading to the award of degrees.

Mr. Emmanuel Baah-Ennumh who took participants through the last presentation which was on the role of examination officers in the conduct of university examinations, identified the role assessment plays in university education. He recognised that the examination officer was responsible for the registration of courses by students, preparation of the time table, the distribution of invigilators and the preparation of examination results for discussion and approval by the various boards.

Participants adopted some resolutions for implementation. These included ensuring the early submission of examination questions, establishing local audit teams to work closely with the KNUST Audit Team to build their capacity, developing customised software for the management of examinations and instituting measures to prevent absenteeism by staff during invigilation.