NANFeatures/Vol.10/No.255/2016 (Nov. 11)
Validity period of UTME’s results: The controversy and intrigues
A News Analysis by Shittu Obassa, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The recent announcement of the Senate that it would amend the Act establishing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gladdens a segment of the public.
While some Nigerians express skepticism that the development may make it somewhat difficult to secure tertiary institution’s admission, optimists view it as a welcome development.
But, as the announcement continues to generate mixed reactions among Nigerians, the news is making round that the Senate has suspended the proposal to amend the Act to allow for adequate consultation with experts.
Recommendations submitted by Jibrin Barau’s Committee on Higher Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in favour of the elongation of validity of UTME results and reduction in the JAMB’s registration fee from about N6, 700 to N2, 500 had earlier informed the decision of the Senate to amend the Act.
Irrespective of the contents of the recommendation, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the spokesperson of JAMB, quoted Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education as saying that the proposal had been suspended.
Benjamin said Wammako, represented by Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, made the announcement at an oversight visit to JAMB headquarters in Bwari.
He also quoted Wammako as saying that the suspension was to avoid impeding on the progress so far made by JAMB in the conduct of examinations.
“Your JAMB result is only valid for one year and we thought it would be better for it to be valid for at least three years.
“That would reduce the burden on the parents, students and even the institution that is conducting the test. I think it is good for all of us and would not be rejected by the public.
“We don’t make laws for an individual or for the Senate. But we make laws for the country in the interest of all of us.
“A bill must not necessarily be at the convenience of a particular organisation. Since we don’t want to make a law that would impede the progress of any institution, we are bound to listen to what the stakeholders are saying.
“JAMB has made so much progress over the years and should continue to improve on its performance because the lives of millions of Nigerians depend on it,’’ the statement quoted Wammako as saying.
According to the statement, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, expresses happiness that the Senate has listened to the plea of the board.
The statement quoted him as also imploring members of the House of Representatives and the Executive to tow the line of the Senate by suspending the proposal.
In his reaction to the development, Dr Dapo Odukoya, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, however, disagreed with the suspension.
He said with the a three-year validity period for UTME results, students would not have to go through the rigour of writing the examination for the next two years if they could not gain admission in the first year.
“I think that will favour students that pass well, reduce JAMB’s perceived yearly extortion and parents will be saved some extra cash,’’ he said.
Similarly, Mr Joseph Dameh, a lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Bayero University Kano, said the earlier decision of the Senate to amend the Act establishing JAMB was a step in the right direction.
He said the amendment would not jeopardise the chances of any candidate because it had not stopped anyone from re-writing the examination any time.
“I do not foresee any negative consequence except where the amendment prohibits a candidate from taking the examination prior to the expiration of the duration of an existing result,’’ he said.
Corroborating Dameh’s viewpoint, a parent, Hajiya Asma’u Adamu, insisted that three-year validity period for UTME results would be “the right thing in the right direction.’’
Adamu appealed to management of JAMB to allow the suspended amendment in good faith because it would for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.
But Mr Dotun Opaleye, the Chairman, Ogun chapter of National Association of Nigerian Students, lauded the Senate for suspending the proposal.
“When you have the same people with the same results whose results are not competitive enough to secure admission and now allow them to present same result after three years, it sounds awkward.
“When students write again within those years, they will likely study harder to score a higher points to secure admission and that will promote academic excellence; the amendment will also leave admission seekers confused.
“Even though the policy will reduce the number of candidates taking UTME each year, it will increase the number of candidates seeking admission each year since their results will be valid for three years.
“This will not also help the tertiary institutions as some of them lack the capacity to accommodate the increasing number of admission seekers,’’ he said.
However, a civil servant, Alhaji Musa Adamu, said that the Senate should set up a committee to consult with stakeholders including JAMB, National Universities Commission and authorities of universities and tertiary institutions on the issue.
By and large, concerned citizens note that as the number of UTME candidates is increasing every year, a pragmatic approach must be taken to ensure safe and quality tertiary education.(NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)