For a successful 2017 UTME

EAGERLY and anxiously, many a university, polytechnic and college of education aspirant is waiting for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to commence the sale of registration form for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Some of them who could not really wait for the commencement of the registration have gone to deposit money with some registration centres across the country, believing that the registration may not last for three weeks and that information may not circulate once the board begins selling the forms. Who could blame the innocent aspirants? After all, by this time last year, registration had closed, and candidates had been given their examination dates and time. With the changes occurring one expects them to be truly panicky and anxious as rumours are also spreading like wildfire that there may not be UTME this year or it may hold between July and August, immediately after the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) exams. The second rumour is justifiable.

JAMB now has enough time to conduct a nationally acceptable and hitch-free examination this year because it has enough time for preparations and to put all necessary things in place for a successful 2017 UTME. Considering the irregularities recorded during the last examination organized and conducted by the Board, the test could not be described as a success. These errors and omissions were so many that the board was considered incompetent and several protests were held against the outcome of the examination, most especially in Lagos State. Some of the irregularities included negligence which was admitted to by then Registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, when he said “There are a few challenges associated with the conduct which are expected with any new technology which we constantly admit. But I believe that, with the active support of all, we will gradually get it perfected. In an examination taken by over 1 .5 million candidates, it is expected that there will be a few outcries here and there. But when you look at the percentage of complaints vis-à-viz the success, one will comfortably say we are on the right track. ”

Reports of malfunctioning servers and computer littered the media, a large number of the candidates were delayed unnecessarily at the CBT centres, and a few had changes in their schedules. These resulted from poor CBT system. Many candidates received three different results on their phones while hundreds did not receive any result alerts. It became more ridiculous when the board added from 40 – 60 marks to very few candidates’ scores.  These and many others widely known to the board and general public are lessons from the last entrance examination. And this time around, we ought to have learnt lessons. And though few opinions tend to stand against it, the Computer Based Test is preferable to the Paper and Pencil Test (PPT). And it is advisable to stick to it. But for a better performance this year, there are certain things JAMB and its new registar, Prof. Ishiaq Oloyede, have to seriously and keenly put into consideration.

Many centres do not have enough facilities in place for the candidates. These centres parade poor computer facilities, unconducive environments that can enhance malpractices and deviant behaviours on the part of the participants. These centres and the owners are after the profits to be made, and not interested in the objectives of the board. Hence, all accredited and yet-to-be-accredited centres should be made to have enough and reliable equipment. During the last exam, about 59,000 candidates in 15 states were relocated to some other states because of poor centres in those fifteen States. Many of the centres were operated comprised individuals who aided malpractices.

As promised, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) should be installed at strategic places in the CBT halls approved by JAMB. The advantage is that examination malpractices will be reduced to the barest minimum and confidence, to some extent, will be restored to the body. However, it is expected that some individuals will still dare the board. Though it is not a new phenomenon in our country, it is suggested that these ones should not only be nabbed, but also be prosecuted and, if found guilty, be sentenced to serve as deterrent to others who are minded to disrupt the progress in our education.

Results were sent to the candidates last year though there was no uniformity: for some the results were got on their phones minutes and hours after their test, some after days, while many were kept expecting theirs for weeks. For JAMB to receive general applause, this, too should be considered, not overlooked. A specific time limit that the results will be received should be fixed and stated in clear terms. Ojerinde declared last year, “of the 1,546,633 candidates that sat for the 2016 UTME , 145, 704 had issues of multiple results which have been resolved by the Board.” Admittance to this irregularity can only be accepted once the Oloyode-led JAMB rectifies this.

Instructions to guide the registration process and examination should be well stipulated in order to avoid inconsistencies and irregularities which can hamper the success of the examination. Invalid and incomplete registration should be swiftly rejected before they constitute problems for the board and national issue to the education Sector. Last year, candidates were instructed to reprint their registration slips to get information on time regarding the date and place to write the test. Many of them were not well informed and they missed their schedule. This could be avoided too by providing all important information once the candidates register.

Lastly, regular information on the delay should be communicated to the prospective candidates who are depositing money with some people. They should be strictly warned and cautioned so that they will not fall victims of fraud and scam.

• Faboade writes in from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.