THE NEW FACE OF JAMB: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!
Brethren, of course we know that
Rome was never built in a day or within twenty-four (24) hours, and that, there
is nothing good that comes easily. Thus, if we sincerely anticipate something
great, we must be ready to work hard and tirelessly too. On this background,
let’s go straightly to the gospel of the day.
For decades now, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has
been conducting examinations for prospective students of the existing tertiary
citadels of learning in Nigeria. And so far, their modus operandi has been
satisfactory to the best of the knowledge of the education stakeholders in the
country.
Frankly, there is no gain
reiterating the fact that JAMB has succeeded in equipping the intellectual and
mental know-how of the teeming Nigerian admission seekers. No doubt, it has
helped tremendously to uplift credibility and fairness as regards admission
issues affecting our young ones.
Recently, the said examination
umpire introduced the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for their prospective
candidates. The mode in question was introduced in 2013 and was partly utilized
during the last examination of the 2014/2015 academic session conducted by the
board. And currently, it is obvious that the CBT mode was totally utilized during
the just concluded examination of the proactive board. Unlike that of the penultimate
session which only a few candidates were involved and it had to do with their
choices, this time, every candidate is statutorily meant to make use of it.
Indeed, the CBT routine would go
a long way to sanitize the academic prowess of our dear children/wards as well
as introduce a scene filled with no iota of examination malpractice or
impersonation, which currently remains the major cankerworm our educational
sector is ravaged by. Inter alia, it would help to ensure that any of our young
one, who intends to further his/her education, is computer literate. Let’s ride
on!
However, it is noteworthy for JAMB
to realize that so many factors need to be put in place to guarantee accuracy
as well as ease congestion in its subsequent examinations. It is no longer news
that most of the candidates in the ongoing examination have expressed
disappointment while many others cried foul for having missed their exams.
These and many more lamentations are not unconnected to database mishandling.
Nevertheless, I never expected 100% accuracy knowing fully that, the CBT
pattern is relatively new.
First; more examination centres ought to be approved in order to
accommodate as many computer systems as possible so that candidates will not be
asked to wait for a long time before they would be ushered into their
respective exam halls due to lack of space or insufficient computer systems. This
measure would also enable JAMB to conduct the examination only in one day
thereby curtailing the ongoing over-labour experienced by their staff.
Secondly, more ICT experts are equally expected to be employed to help
boast the network challenges presently faced by candidates and the examiners;
in addition, the management should endeavour to continually purchase standard
and world class softwares for their networking activities, so that the ICT
staff won’t experience any form of hacking in future.
The above suggested measure, among others, is the only avenue the JAMB’s
new face would embrace its anticipated success. Yes the initiative is a
worthwhile and commendable one, but the education umpire must also acknowledge
that ‘Second to none’ is expected of them, rather than ‘Second best’.
I can see JAMB ushering Nigeria
- the Giant of Africa, into that scene we have longed to embrace. On this note,
every right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country is expected to do
everything humanly possible to contribute his or her quota towards sensitizing
the public on the significance of the scheme in question. Think about it!
FRED
D.N NWAOZOR
(Media Ambassador)
_______________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
