CLAIM: 3 UTG STAFF SACKED, IN ‘SEX FOR GRADES SCANDAL’
SOURCE: The Standard
VERDICT: MISLEADING
FINDING:
Following the recent publication of the report on the investigations into the alleged grade alteration / tampering of students at the University of the Gambia. The said report was published via email to all the UTG Staff and students on the 11th September, 2023.
In the said report the Disciplinary Committee of UTG conducted interviews and reviewed relevant document to ensure that evidence are gathered about staff and students implicated in the grade alteration saga. The report further states that the Disciplinary Committee ensured a fair and unbiased investigation and adhering to the principles of natural justice.
In delving into the claim made by The Standard on the newspaper dated 13th September, and on their website www.standard.gm with the caption 3 UTG STAFF SACKED, IN ‘SEX FOR GRADES SCANDAL’.
Fact Check Center-The Gambia has made enquiries and investigation on the said caption, as to whether 3 UTG staff were sacked and also if the Disciplinary Committee of UTG and the Fact – Finding Committee were able to establish that 3 UTG Staff that were sacked was as a result of the SEX for grades scandal as captioned by The Standard.
In our quest to counter misinformation to the public, the report released by UTG did not indicate or state that the dismissal of any staff was as a result of sex for grades scandal, but rather the dismissal was as a result of alleged alteration of the grades as stated in the report:
“In light of these allegations, the DC – UTG reviewed the evidence and testimonies and made recommendations to the University Governing Council concerning grade alteration / tampering, which had serious disciplinary infractions and implicated the integrity of the university community. Consequently, four members of staff were found responsible for altering or tampering with students’ grades and thus it is recommended that one of the staff be dismissed from the University and be banned from taking employment in the University for a period of 10 years, while the other 3 three be terminated”.
Therefore, it’s important for the public to be better informed that the dismissal as captioned by The Standard is not indicated in the report sent by UTG. Instead the dismissal is as result of alleged alteration or tampering of the students grades.
In addition, Fact Check- Center, The Gambia also noticed some recommendations made by the University Disciplinary Committee were not adhered to by the Governing Council. The above paragraph has indicated that : “Four members of staff were found responsible for altering or tampering with students’ grades and thus it is recommended that one of the staff be dismissed from the University and be banned from taking employment in the University for a period of 10 years, while the other 3 three be terminated”. However, the Governing Council made modification, by dismissing Dr. John T. Mendy, and placed a ban on him taking employment in the University for a period of 15 years, which contradictory to what the disciplinary committee recommended.
In conclusion, Fact Check – Centre, The Gambia spoke with one of the senior staff of UTG, who made it clear to Fact Check Centre, The Gambia that, it’s four staff that are dismissed and that some of the staff who are also part of the alteration of the grades were left behind and not punished. It was also brought to our attention that the number of students whose grades where altered is far more than the number stated by The Standard and the UTG report.
CONCLUSION:
The publication made by The Standard with the caption 3 UTG STAFF SACKED, IN ‘SEX FOR GRADES SCANDAL’ is misleading. The UTG report did not establish that the dismissal was a result of the SEX FOR GRADES SCANDAL. Rather the dismissal of the said staff is as a result of the alteration or tampering of the students grades as stated in the report.
By
Philip Mendy
Researcher
