Abuja – Stakeholders in the education sector on Thursday called for a unified admission process into higher institutions in the country
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that scores of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates stormed the University of Lagos to protest against the decision of the institution to stop them from doing the forthcoming post-UTME.
The candidates alleged that the authorities of the university, in liaison with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), had rolled out a new admission procedure that prevented them from taking the examination to secure admission into the ivory tower.
The stakeholders in separate interviews with NAN in Abuja said too many examination processes before admission were unnecessary.
Miss Chioma Osuji, the Policy Advisor, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA), an NGO, said that a central coordinating examination body should be established for both private and public institutions.
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Osuji explained that post- UTME was not necessary after a student writes WAEC, NECO and JAMB, which she described as recognised examination bodies.
“There is no need for post-UTME; I don’t think it is necessary after WAEC and NECO.
“Its not worth it; we should have one central examination body for admission into tertiary institutions’’
Commenting on the cut-off marks agreed by the relevant stakeholders including JAMB, Osuji said it was important to boost educational standard.
Also speaking, Mr Ike Onyechere, the Chairman, Exam Ethics Marshal International (EEMI), also called for the scrapping of JAMB or its merger with other relevant agencies.
He, however, stated that tertiary institutions should be given the autonomy to run their own admission policies.
“The recent admission policy somersault of JAMB which has generated protests and court cases, makes it necessary for Mr. President and all critical education stakeholders to reflect deeply about JAMB.
“I still maintain that JAMB is a wicked policy and should be scrapped, dissolved or merged with another more relevant agency.
` The laws establishing Federal Universities state clearly that “the selection of persons for admission as students at the university is the function of the University Senate.
“The cost of seeking admissions into tertiary institutions in Nigeria is 2,000 per cent higher than that of other African countries, including Ghana. ‘’
The chairman explained that the process of admission ranged from students purchasing JAMB forms, standard scratch cards, universal scratch cards, and logistics.
He disclosed that at least 200 youths die each year in the course of travelling for UTME and post-UTME across the country.
He added that in spite the high cost of this examination, admission was not guaranteed for at least 70 per cent of candidates.
According to him, granting tertiary institutions full autonomy to conduct their admission examinations in line with global best practices, would bring sustainable solution to the admission crisis.
He added that the removal of JAMB would eradicate corruption in the education sector to an extent.
Similarly, Mr Collins Musa, a parent, described the recent examination and admission process as cumbersome, adding that the system should be reverted to the old one.
“Applicants are finding it difficult to cope with all the stress, first is to write JAMB and then prepare for post-UTME.
“We should revert to our old system with modification, where JAMB would liaise with the institutions to accept the JAMB scores of students.’’
He said that admission cut-off marks should be determined by the institutions as it would guarantee the quality of graduates produced from the school.
However, Mr John Audu argued that a central examination body for tertiary institution was not ideal, adding that some universities were known for their high standards and credibility.
He alleged the post-UTME was used by some schools to screen out applicants and to enable the school get the best qualified students for admission.
Audu also attributed the cause of many students not gaining admission into schools to their large population. (NAN)