CBU Vice Chancellor Proposes Aptitude Tests for University Entrants

Copperbelt University Vice-Chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma says aptitude tests before admission into the university will enhance transparency and fairness among students being admitted to the institution. 

Prof Ngoma said there was need to apply further tests on all those accepted into the university. 

“Giving aptitude tests to students before admitting them into the university will enhance transparency, fairness and ensure that the right people who deserve to be in school are admitted,” he said in an interview. 

Prof Ngoma said the current government policy provides for up to 30 points for entry into university but many universities admit students with better points. 

“They tend to pick candidates with lower points like six points - the so-called the best. The problem with this is that you are making an assumption that those are the best which may not necessarily be the case. And in doing that, you find that other deserving students are disadvantaged,” he said. 

“The current system could allow people with very good results in mathematics but when they are admitted into the university, they start performing badly in mathematics, chemistry and physics in first year; and then you tend to ask yourself that, ‘Is it the problem with the school or the lecturers or is it that they were not just good enough in the first place?’” 

Prof Ngoma hoped that the plan to introduce aptitude tests before admitting students at CBU would be supported by all stakeholders. The Post