Why JAMB should not rest on its oars

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) changing examination policy and registration is not new and should be seen as work in progress.

In my opinion, JAMB is giving its best in ensuring that credible examinations are conducted to upholding what it stands for. The board is helping the country’s education system by reducing examination malpractices to the barest minimum.

The recent calls for the resignation of the JAMB Registrar are harsh and uncalled for.

Nigerians should support and criticise the board constructively to better the system and not harangue the professor who has given his best and is still trying to better and improve the system. This must come at a price.

However, it is fair to observe that the call for resignation is borne out of the frustrations, delay and difficulties being experienced by prospective candidates during registration. Honestly, the examination board should look inwards and make urgent adjustments  to its operations.

JAMB perhaps is the national examination body with the least incidence of malpractices, buttressing the need for patience and understanding. For ‘miracles centres’ to become ‘ mirage centres,’ patience is key. There are so many illicit activities in our tertiary institutions on students’ admission which JAMB’s new procedures could help to change.

I honestly think that it is high time the scoring system was changed to the grading system. How? The scoring system involving marks (130,180, 220,etc) can be changed to grades like C,B, D or A.

A minimum of C’s in all the subjects would thus guarantee admission into any tertiary institution. Universities, polytechnics and others would now define their requirements based on courses/grades obtained.

While university A might require two A’s and two B’s for a particular course, University B might require just an A, two B’s and a C.

This will give more freedom to students to choose institutions of their choice, ease admission delays and foster performance. It’s a win-win situation.

This does not rule out the importance of post-UTME examinations as checks and balances.

If anything goes wrong with the authenticity of certificates due to incompetence of graduate and under graduates students, the universities or polytechnics will be indicted and shamed, not JAMB.

Finally, I want to encourage Professor Oloyede and the JAMB board not to relent in ensuring quality examinations.

Adebusoye Francis

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