The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for all, with a particular focus on persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Oloyede spoke on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen about the Board’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) and the First Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED), scheduled to take place from Tuesday, September 17, to Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in Abuja.
The JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), chaired by Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, was established in 2016 by Oloyede to support persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the registration and conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Oloyede stated that the conference aims to enhance access to higher education for persons with disabilities and improve the learning environment in tertiary institutions across Africa.
He added that the regional conference is expected to attract experts and participants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Egypt, and other African countries.
He said: “Today, as we prepare for this very important conference, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for all, with a particular emphasis on persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through the Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), has been at the forefront of ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with a level playing field in accessing higher education.
“It is not enough to simply open doors of opportunity; we must ensure that these doors are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities.
“We fervently believe that this conference will provide a platform to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions that will help bridge the gap in educational access for PWDs.
“We recognize that education is a fundamental human right, and as such, we are dedicated to making higher education more inclusive and accessible across Africa,” Oloyede said.
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He highlighted that the theme of this year’s conference, “Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities in Educational and Economic Development,” emphasizes the importance of harnessing the talents and contributions of PWDs in shaping the future of society.
He added, “Education is the cornerstone of personal empowerment, economic development, and national growth. When we invest in inclusive education, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future for all.”
Oloyede noted that JAMB has introduced several strategic initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity within the education sector. These include the provision of specialized testing centers and the reduction of the registration fee for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination from N5,000 to N3,500 to ensure equitable access to tertiary education.
The JAMB Registrar also revealed that candidates with disabilities who have 5 O’level credits in the Senior Secondary Certificate are provided with free application documents, in addition to other fees (such as CBT center fees).
He further disclosed that, to support visually impaired candidates and other candidates with disabilities who require special examination settings, the Board provides transportation subsidies, free accommodation, and transit assistance during the examination process.
Candidates with disabilities are also provided with necessary assistive tools, such as braille machines and screen readers, to facilitate learning and testing. Additionally, teachers are trained to better understand the diverse needs of students and to employ inclusive teaching methodologies.
Oloyede commended the Ministry of Education for endorsing the ‘Strategic Roadmap for Inclusive Access to Quality Higher Education in Nigeria,’ a policy approved by the National Council on Education. The policy incorporates specific waivers and incentives for candidates with
disabilities.
He emphasized that education is not a privilege reserved for a few but a right that must be safeguarded for all.
Oloyede therefore called on all stakeholders, government agencies, educational institutions, the private sector, and civil society to join hands with the Board in pursuit of this noble cause.
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