Tensions are rising at the Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University (UNCHK) in Senegal, where students from the class of 2026 are facing difficulties. The National Federation of Students at UNCHK (FNE-UNCHK) has called for the immediate suspension of first-semester evaluations for 1,109 students in their first year of licensure. The students are yet to receive a 250,000 FCFA allocation meant to help them acquire necessary computers for their studies.
The FNE-UNCHK argues that it is unfair to expect these students to perform academically at the same level as their peers, given their unequal learning conditions. The federation emphasizes that the computer allowance is not a privilege but an essential tool for students to follow courses in a digital university. They claim that the lack of computers hinders the students' ability to complete their coursework effectively.
The FNE-UNCHK has made several demands to address the situation. They are calling for the postponement of evaluations until the situation is resolved, the publication of a payment schedule for the 1,109 students, and a guarantee that no student will be penalized for lacking a computer. The federation also wants an urgent dialogue with the relevant authorities to find a solution.
The crisis originated from a decision made by the Ministry of Higher Education in April 2026. Due to irregularities in the "One Student, One Computer" program, the authorities opted to provide a 250,000 FCFA allocation to students instead of delivering computers. However, nearly seven months later, the funds have not reached the beneficiaries, leaving the class of 2026 in uncertainty as evaluations begin.
The FNE-UNCHK has urged students to boycott assigned homework in response to the situation. Khadydja NDIAYE, a representative of the students, has expressed concerns about the impact of the delay on students' academic performance. The students are worried that the lack of computers will put them at a disadvantage compared to their peers.
The situation at UNCHK highlights the challenges faced by students in digital universities in Senegal. The FNE-UNCHK is pushing for a resolution to the crisis, emphasizing that students need equal access to resources to succeed academically. The university administration and the Ministry of Higher Education are yet to respond to the students' demands.
The students' concerns are centered on the need for a level playing field, and they are seeking a prompt resolution to the issue. The outcome of the situation will likely have implications for the academic performance and future prospects of the affected students.
Key points
- The National Federation of Students at UNCHK demands the suspension of evaluations due to a lack of computers.
- 1,109 students in their first year of licensure are yet to receive a 250,000 FCFA allocation for computers.
- The crisis originated from a decision made by the Ministry of Higher Education in April 2026.
