On Monday, 45 visually impaired students took the University Matriculation Examination (UMTE), which is being conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The students, all of whom have sight impairments, were drawn from Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, and Yobe states in the North-East subregion. They wrote the examination at the special center of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi.
The blind JAMB candidates wrote the examination using Braille, slates, and styli on typewriters made specifically for people with sight impairments.
It was gathered that in previous years, such individuals paid a registration fee of N5000 for the exams. However, this time around, it was free for them as the government has waived the fee and taken responsibility for their guides.
Additionally, it was reliably gathered that the governments of the respective states covered their transportation to and from the exam center and provided accommodation at Jamil Guest House, Bauchi, for the duration of the exams.
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The Director of the Joint Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) in Bauchi, Prof. Salisu Shehu, supervised the exercise to ensure it proceeded smoothly across the North-East subregion.
Prof. Salisu Shehu Shugaban emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that nobody is denied access to the education process due to physical challenges. He added that people with special needs should be assisted in whatever form necessary to ensure they reach their potential and achieve their educational ambitions.
The candidates wrote exams in different fields of study, including science and engineering-related courses, which they intend to pursue upon admission.
Reports indicate that the Federal Government provided for their upkeep for three days across the country to enable them to concentrate and write the exams without any hindrances.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Information, Comrade Usman Danturaki, represented State Governor Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, to observe the special students at the center as they wrote the examinations.
He commended the management of JAMB and the Federal Government for the arrangements made, which facilitated the candidates’ comfortable exam-taking experience.