How are examinations done?

Connecting the classroom and the real work industry: The practical education

Cambridge (CAM) and Oxford (OXIM) courses are FULLY PRACTICAL meaning that there is no exam based on how much you can memorize and recall onto foolscaps. Candidates will be expected, after completing a module syllabus, to go to “real world organizations” and find out what routines they do on a daily basis and in the routines they next find out problems or weaknesses at the institutions. The candidate then devises a solution which he/she proceeds to demonstrate how it would be implemented to the organization. The full content of this research is documented, printed and bound and forms the basis of assessment. It is the project produced that is sent to Cambridge or Oxford for marking.

This gives the much needed connection between the classroom and the industry. For a long time this region has been merely producing people who have papers but have no idea what the industry requires in a practical sense.

A candidate still has to give theoretical evidence through monthly Tests and Assignments which are also enclosed with the projects when they (projects) are sent to UK for assessment. These act as evidence of originality. The final assessment of the work produced and certification is done by Cambridge or Oxford. The certificates also come directly to the student from Cambridge or Oxford.

Credit Transfers to bachelors or Masters Degrees

Upgrades of Cambridge or Oxford diplomas (through credit transfers) to  bachelors or masters degrees are at the discretion of the awarding universities. It is further gratifying to note that very high profile universities recognize the Cambridge (CAM) and Oxford (OXIM) diplomas hence ease, and guarantee, of these upgrades in most universities in UK or locally.

Where will the final certificates be from?

All marking and certifications are done in Cambridge or Oxford (UK). Once you qualify, your transcripts or /and certificates will be received directly from Cambridge or Oxford. It therefore means that there is no difference between a student studying locally and that in UK since the assessment is done uniformly.

This ensures the much-needed quality assurance and international acceptance

Classrooms

Classrooms are designed to take a maximum of 20 students for good tutor to student interaction.

Computer Projectors

Each centre has computer projectors and video machines to increase mental recall during lessons

Computer labs

Each campus has an elaborate computer lab fitted with 24 hours internet service (256 KB speed)

Library

In addition to The British Council Library we have our elaborate Resource Centres at all campuses

Students Forums

Students have access to the Student Council, through which activities are coordinated. Such would include scholarships, Work place attachments and final employments

A separate department deals with Career Assessment and Counseling.Open days are available every month for follow-ups on progress by parents or individual students

There are dedicated days to personalized consultations with tutors.

Staff development programmes

There are in-house staff training programmes which are dedicated to those who deal directly with students enquiries.

Teaching staff have a special “teachers and trainers” update programme which is dedicated to teaching staff on how pass their vast knowledge to another.

There are exchange programmes where tutors from overseas come home to interact with local tutors. Our tutors also travel overseas for similar exchange programmes

Parents Forums

There are four Parents Meetings in a year. Parents are part and parcel of the DALC community and their contributions are highly valued in the development of the institution. Parents Forums are in January, April, July, and November

Progress Reports

Students receive Progress Report Forms by 15th of every month for Assignments and CATs done during the previous month. This is upon request of the individual student or parent. For students who are under the care of parents/guardians or sponsors we prefer that reports are collected or sent the same.

Student discipline

We attach a lot of interest in the students general discipline.

Punctuality and regularity are core items in the students contracts and prolonged offences without explanations relating to these would usually results in discontinuation.

For a discontinuation to take place, a disciplinary panel must be set up to give the student a fair hearing. On a first offence, a verbal warning will be issued (unless it is a gross offence). On the second count a written and final warning issued and on the third occasion a formal discontinuation is effected.

The academic discipline

A DALC student must exhibit a high level of academic discipline.We expect a student to be hard working, focused to innovations and keen on participating in enriching extra-curricular activities.

Is DALC a fake/bogus/briefcase institution?

To answer this question, we need to ask what is the meaning of the word fake, bogus or briefcase in academic circles?
First of all, an educational institution usually has facilities like classrooms, computer labs, library, and other essential items needed to make learning manageable. Then there must be teachers with qualifications to deliver the approved curriculum.
Before any government moves forward to licence an institution, it requires that all these are in place and once they are in place, officials from the government visit to confirm that they do exist.

We confirm to you that DALC has classrooms, computer labs, library, tutors (minimum masters degree holders or equivalent) and curriculum approved by both Kenya Ministry of Education (Reg. Licence No. MOEST/PC/996/06) and Commission for Higher Education(Vide Letter Ref. CHE/15/1/1/ of 4th April2008) after rigorous inspections and final approvals by these top Kenya Government Departments, charged with the responsibility of accrediting/validating/approving institutions and the programmes offered.

Secondly, what is education? Is it in the papers or in the knowledge /skill gained from the process. If what we teach and candidates have achieved can demonstrate knowledge and they are using it to solve business, social or scientific problems then we fail to understand the intention of those  questioning us. If the classrooms and other facilities are just briefcases then we fail again to understand how far negative competition can go.

Besides, how many fake things do you see around you? Do you really bother about them? But if a group  of people (paid by competitors, jealous, etc)constantly refer to our institution negatively, then this institution must be having something that threatens their existence or success and they must use such means to malign it so that it either slows down or crumbles.
Finally, DALC is private and everyone makes an independent decision to take what it has or not.