Ministry kicks over passage of JAMB Amendment Bill

The decision of the Senate to pass the JAMB Amendment Bill, removing the power to conduct admission from the universities’ senate, and vesting same on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has not have gone down well with the Federal Ministry of Education.

A memo to that effect, sighted by The Guardian, is advising the permanent secretary in the ministry to work with the House of Representatives, to
ensure that the power to conduct admission is restored to the universities’ senate.

The memo signed by the Deputy Director Press, Ben Bem Goong, indicated that there are some grey areas in the passed bill, which is currently awaiting the president’s assent.

The memo identified the clauses in paragraph 2 (a and b) as the grey areas, which appear to oust the powers of the universities’ senate, or any other admission body of tertiary institutions in the conduct of admission.

The grey areas are quoted below: “The bill also provides that the placement of suitably qualified candidates in tertiary institutions, in accordance with existing vacancies, guidelines approved by authorities of such institutions and preferences expressed by candidates shall be the exclusive preserve of JAMB.

“The collection and dissemination of information on all matters in relation to admissions into tertiary institutions and related matters are the duties of JAMB.”

According to the memo, the grey areas also negates the minister’s position that the senate of the university should be responsible for admission while JAMB conducts the examination.

“A number of options are open to the ministry. These include to immediately approach the House of Representatives, which will make the necessary provision that will restore the power of the universities senate in the conduct of admission. Thereafter, the two chambers will reconcile the bill, with a view to resting in the senate of the universities, the power to conduct its admission.

“Alternatively, when the bill goes to Mr. President for assent, the necessary provision can be made by the executive and returned to the NASS for ratification before assent,” the memo read.