The New Face of JAMB

THE NEW FACE OF JAMB: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

Brethren, of course we know that Rome was never built in a day or within twenty-four (24) hours, and that, there is nothing good that comes easily. Thus, if we sincerely anticipate something great, we must be ready to work hard and tirelessly too. On this background, let’s go straightly to the gospel of the day.

For decades now, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been conducting examinations for prospective students of the existing tertiary citadels of learning in Nigeria. And so far, their modus operandi has been satisfactory to the best of the knowledge of the education stakeholders in the country.

Frankly, there is no gain reiterating the fact that JAMB has succeeded in equipping the intellectual and mental know-how of the teeming Nigerian admission seekers. No doubt, it has helped tremendously to uplift credibility and fairness as regards admission issues affecting our young ones.

Recently, the said examination umpire introduced the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for their prospective candidates. The mode in question was introduced in 2013 and was partly utilized during the last examination of the 2014/2015 academic session conducted by the board. And currently, it is obvious that the CBT mode was totally utilized during the just concluded examination of the proactive board. Unlike that of the penultimate session which only a few candidates were involved and it had to do with their choices, this time, every candidate is statutorily meant to make use of it.

Indeed, the CBT routine would go a long way to sanitize the academic prowess of our dear children/wards as well as introduce a scene filled with no iota of examination malpractice or impersonation, which currently remains the major cankerworm our educational sector is ravaged by. Inter alia, it would help to ensure that any of our young one, who intends to further his/her education, is computer literate. Let’s ride on!

However, it is noteworthy for JAMB to realize that so many factors need to be put in place to guarantee accuracy as well as ease congestion in its subsequent examinations. It is no longer news that most of the candidates in the ongoing examination have expressed disappointment while many others cried foul for having missed their exams. These and many more lamentations are not unconnected to database mishandling. Nevertheless, I never expected 100% accuracy knowing fully that, the CBT pattern is relatively new.

First; more examination centres ought to be approved in order to accommodate as many computer systems as possible so that candidates will not be asked to wait for a long time before they would be ushered into their respective exam halls due to lack of space or insufficient computer systems. This measure would also enable JAMB to conduct the examination only in one day thereby curtailing the ongoing over-labour experienced by their staff.

Secondly, more ICT experts are equally expected to be employed to help boast the network challenges presently faced by candidates and the examiners; in addition, the management should endeavour to continually purchase standard and world class softwares for their networking activities, so that the ICT staff won’t experience any form of hacking in future.

The above suggested measure, among others, is the only avenue the JAMB’s new face would embrace its anticipated success. Yes the initiative is a worthwhile and commendable one, but the education umpire must also acknowledge that ‘Second to none’ is expected of them, rather than ‘Second best’. 

I can see JAMB ushering Nigeria - the Giant of Africa, into that scene we have longed to embrace. On this note, every right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country is expected to do everything humanly possible to contribute his or her quota towards sensitizing the public on the significance of the scheme in question. Think about it!  

 

FRED D.N NWAOZOR

(Media Ambassador)
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frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056