The University of Botswana has adjusted the current and next semester almanacs as part of a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This means that there will be no formal examinations this semester hence assessment of students will be done through continuous assessment, said Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Mrs Motsei Rapelana, on July 6, 2020.
Mrs Rapelana was speaking at the 2020/2021 Graduate Students Association (GSA) handing over ceremony. She said student activities would, therefore, end on July 24, 2020.
For the 2020/2021 first semester, Mrs Rapelana said there would be no midweek break while graduation was scheduled for October 29 to 30, 2020. As such the university will close on December 23, 2020.
Mrs Rapelena appealed to everyone to observe all critical COVID-19 protocols to avoid any disruptions to the university calendar. The University of Botswana has a student community of close to 15 000 and Mrs Rapelana said it would be a disaster were one person to fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She appealed the new GSA leadership to be in the forefront and join hands with management to ensure that COVID-19 health protocols were observed at all times on campus. The COVID-19 health protocols include social distancing, wearing of masks in public places, undergoing body temperature checks and washing of hands with clean water and soap frequently. Mrs Rapelana further emphasised that the moratorium on alcohol consumption and smoking of cigarettes on campus was still in force.