Okebukola lauds JAMB for inclusiveness in 2023 UTME
Okebukola
As 947,000 applicants take test in two days
Three hundred and sixty-four blind candidates are sitting for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 11 centres across the federation.
The special test, being conducted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the visually impaired, holds from April 27 to 29 under supervision of JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).
Chairman, JEOG, Prof. Peter Okebukola, who made the disclosure, yesterday in Abuja, commended JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for the innovation and acting out his inclusive policy.
He recalled that since 2017, JEOG had processed about 2,600 candidates for the UTME, with over a third admitted in tertiary institutions, adding that the initiative had been endorsed by several countries as a veritable model for Africa.
The former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC) explained that the robust test involves use of personal computers (PCs), Braille slate and stylus/typewriters in providing answers to questions read out by subject expert, noting that the blind candidates take same examinations with their normal colleagues.
Okebukola, who is also Chairman, Governing Board of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), said JAMB had approved from next year, gradual migration to full Computer-Based Test (CBT) customised mode for these special candidates.
He pointed out that a pilot run is to be conducted later in the year to test the model and provide options to candidates, who elect for full Braille, CBT and read-aloud modes.
“There are exciting times ahead for blind candidates and others with disabilities in realisation of the dream of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede for equal opportunity,” Okebukola said.
He added: “So far, a good number of blind candidates, processed through JEOG, have secured admissions to federal, state, private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
“In 2019, of the 390 candidates, a total of 175 (44.8 per cent) were given admissions. This is unprecedented in the history of admission of such category of students into Nigerian higher education system, another of Prof. Oloyede’s golden legacies.”
BESIDES, JAMB said some 947,000 candidates sat for the UTME in the last two days. Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, made the submission after monitoring the test alongside the Registrar, Prof. Oloyede and others, yesterday, in Abuja. He said the Board had resolved observed technical hitches nationwide.
Asked on when the results would be released, Benjamin said the management would make announcement soon. Recall that over 1.5 million candidates registered for this year’s test, which commenced on April 25 and ends on May 3.
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