Page 157 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

subjects that are grouped into a category, the faculty had restricted students’

freedom in selecting subjects which they prefer. SWDs perceive this system
incompatible with their interests that selecting courses suitable to their

abilities and specific needs.

The SLQF has indicated that course structure of every degree programme at

the undergraduate level should have fallback options. The system benefits
students who are unable to pass examinations throughout the entire

academic year to gain a certification for their engagement during their study

programme. It explicitly benefits SWDs who have more difficulties in
succeeding examinations due to the lack of accessible facilities, assistive

technologies, and specific modes of evaluations. It was observed that both
universities have introduced fallback options in the undergraduate course

structure. However, during the interviews of the sample students, most of
them were not very clear whether to get the fallback options. Only 03 out of

16 students interviewed mentioned that they would interest to obtain the

fallback options and complete the education as soon as they can.

A major drawback observed in the curriculum design and course structure

is that universities have no credit transfer system. The credit transfer system
enables students to follow some semesters in one university and follow

further semesters in another university. When enquired about this aspect
from the students who interviewed, majority of them of the views that they

prefer universities close to them but have not been given that opportunity

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