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| Prof Oloyede |
UTME and JAMB’s
many strategies to curb examination malpractices
many strategies to curb examination malpractices
Since the registrar of the Joint
Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is’haq Oloyede assumed office
there have been introduction of different measures to sanitise the Unified
Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) to make it valid and reliable. This
has instilled greater confidence in the general public and the federal
government, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports.
Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is’haq Oloyede assumed office
there have been introduction of different measures to sanitise the Unified
Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) to make it valid and reliable. This
has instilled greater confidence in the general public and the federal
government, UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU reports.
Background
The joint Admissions and
Matriculation Board (JAMB), the tertiary schools examining body which was in
the past few years gradually losing its relevance in academic community has now
become the toast of the Nigerian higher schools admission seekers and the
federal government, thanks to Professor Is’haq Oloyede’s timely appointment its
chief executive.
Matriculation Board (JAMB), the tertiary schools examining body which was in
the past few years gradually losing its relevance in academic community has now
become the toast of the Nigerian higher schools admission seekers and the
federal government, thanks to Professor Is’haq Oloyede’s timely appointment its
chief executive.
Before then JAMB results had been
unreliable as examination malpractices and admission racketeering dotted most of
its processes.
unreliable as examination malpractices and admission racketeering dotted most of
its processes.
One of the means to curb examination
malpractices was the introduction of Computer Based Test (CBT) which helps in
curbing sharp malpractices in the system.
malpractices was the introduction of Computer Based Test (CBT) which helps in
curbing sharp malpractices in the system.
Despite the success recorded by the
introduction of CBT, JAMB does not stop in making sure that students and
parents get the best for their money and the government reaps its reward for
the appointment of an incorruptible officer as the head of the board.
introduction of CBT, JAMB does not stop in making sure that students and
parents get the best for their money and the government reaps its reward for
the appointment of an incorruptible officer as the head of the board.
JAMB commended
The patriotic innovations carried out
by the registrar has caught the commendation of
the Exam Ethics Marshal International, which said that the registrar has
done well for putting an end to the conspiracy of silence and lip-service in
the fight against examination malpractice in the country. They praised Oloyede
and his team for successful conduct of the 2019 UTME. Founding chairman, Exam
Ethics Marshals International, Mr Ike Onyechere gave the commendation in a
statement in Abuja.
by the registrar has caught the commendation of
the Exam Ethics Marshal International, which said that the registrar has
done well for putting an end to the conspiracy of silence and lip-service in
the fight against examination malpractice in the country. They praised Oloyede
and his team for successful conduct of the 2019 UTME. Founding chairman, Exam
Ethics Marshals International, Mr Ike Onyechere gave the commendation in a
statement in Abuja.
“The 2019 UTME was held from April 11 to April
17. The result released on May 11 shows that while 1,886, 508 candidates sat
for the exams 1,792,719 results were released.
17. The result released on May 11 shows that while 1,886, 508 candidates sat
for the exams 1,792,719 results were released.
“34,120 results were cancelled for
their involvement in exam fraud while 15,145 results are still being clarified.
their involvement in exam fraud while 15,145 results are still being clarified.
“The entire process is a success
story in general and in terms of the campaign to eradicate exam malpractice and
entrench exam ethics,” he said.
story in general and in terms of the campaign to eradicate exam malpractice and
entrench exam ethics,” he said.
He said Oloyede has shown that
examination malpractice which is ravaging Nigeria’s education system can
effectively be caged if the leadership of exam boards summon the courage and
political will to confront the challenge.
examination malpractice which is ravaging Nigeria’s education system can
effectively be caged if the leadership of exam boards summon the courage and
political will to confront the challenge.
He therefore, showered praises on JAMB
for confirming beyond any reasonable doubt that exam malpractice is now an
organised criminal enterprise occasioned by full-time professional criminals. With
members of syndicates embedded in some ministries, agencies, institutions and examination
boards.
for confirming beyond any reasonable doubt that exam malpractice is now an
organised criminal enterprise occasioned by full-time professional criminals. With
members of syndicates embedded in some ministries, agencies, institutions and examination
boards.
“Exam special (magic) centres
masquerading as schools (duly registered and licensed by state ministries of education)
are their operational fronts for Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE)
and other exams.
masquerading as schools (duly registered and licensed by state ministries of education)
are their operational fronts for Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE)
and other exams.
“When JAMB migrated from Paper and Pencil
Tests (PPT) to Computer Based Tests (CBT), they set up cyber cafes and CBT
centres as fronts for their JAMB operations.
Tests (PPT) to Computer Based Tests (CBT), they set up cyber cafes and CBT
centres as fronts for their JAMB operations.
“For the 2019 exams, 112 of such
centres were identified, blacklisted, delisted or suspended by JAMB,” he said.
centres were identified, blacklisted, delisted or suspended by JAMB,” he said.
The integrity of the administration
and supervision process of 2019 UTME was improved by engaging vice chancellors
as JAMB chief external examiners in various states.
and supervision process of 2019 UTME was improved by engaging vice chancellors
as JAMB chief external examiners in various states.
This, coupled with the use of serving
and retired top professionals and directors from public and private sector
organisations, made it difficult for the fraudsters to bribe their way through
the process. The offer of bribe of N1.7m cash in one exam centre had been reported.
and retired top professionals and directors from public and private sector
organisations, made it difficult for the fraudsters to bribe their way through
the process. The offer of bribe of N1.7m cash in one exam centre had been reported.
“The use of VCs as chief external examiners
also restored confidence of tertiary institutions in the UTME process.
also restored confidence of tertiary institutions in the UTME process.
“Instead of the clamour for post-UTME
exams, tertiary institutions now see themselves as partners and co-owners in
the JAMB process. It is a master class deployment of strategy of team work.”
exams, tertiary institutions now see themselves as partners and co-owners in
the JAMB process. It is a master class deployment of strategy of team work.”
The 2019 UTME has set another
important record as 128 fraudsters were arrested during the exams. Five of them
had been convicted in Zamfara, Kebbi and other states less than one month after
the exams and 123 others are standing trial in other states.
important record as 128 fraudsters were arrested during the exams. Five of them
had been convicted in Zamfara, Kebbi and other states less than one month after
the exams and 123 others are standing trial in other states.
“The judicial officers that tried and
jailed the culprits in record time deserve commendation of all patriotic Nigerians;
it is also in the public domain that the registrar is not covering up anyone
found to have compromised including JAMB staff.
jailed the culprits in record time deserve commendation of all patriotic Nigerians;
it is also in the public domain that the registrar is not covering up anyone
found to have compromised including JAMB staff.
“UTME 2019 has demonstrated the
possibilities in the war against exam malpractice beyond lip-service.
possibilities in the war against exam malpractice beyond lip-service.
“The challenge is huge, complex,
systemic and pervasive with almost all categories of stakeholders represented
in the line-up of perpetrators at all levels and every sector of education from
primary to tertiary.”
systemic and pervasive with almost all categories of stakeholders represented
in the line-up of perpetrators at all levels and every sector of education from
primary to tertiary.”
Onyechere called on security agencies,
judiciary, state governments and ministries of education and other stakeholders
to work together to combat exam malpractice and entrench exam ethics.
judiciary, state governments and ministries of education and other stakeholders
to work together to combat exam malpractice and entrench exam ethics.
National
Identity Number (NIN)
Identity Number (NIN)
To further sanitise the process, recently
the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has called on all prospective
candidates for its 2020 UTME to acquire the National Identification Number
(NIN) as a prerequisite for 2019/2020 registration of candidates.
the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has called on all prospective
candidates for its 2020 UTME to acquire the National Identification Number
(NIN) as a prerequisite for 2019/2020 registration of candidates.
JAMB’s head of media and publicity,
Dr Fabian Benjamin said that the aim was to ensure the biometric and other
necessary details of candidates were captured, to check examination
malpractice.
Dr Fabian Benjamin said that the aim was to ensure the biometric and other
necessary details of candidates were captured, to check examination
malpractice.
Benjamin said in a statement made
available to journalists that the call was necessary now that registration for
the 2020 UTME had begun.
available to journalists that the call was necessary now that registration for
the 2020 UTME had begun.
“The JAMB will, during the 2020
registration, use the National Identity Number generated after successful
registration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
registration, use the National Identity Number generated after successful
registration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“This includes the capturing of biometric and
other necessary details for the registration of all prospective candidates.
other necessary details for the registration of all prospective candidates.
“Candidates are enjoined to register
as the board will no longer be responsible for the capturing of candidates’
biometrics ahead of the examination, as all information required will be
uploaded from the data captured by the NIMC.
as the board will no longer be responsible for the capturing of candidates’
biometrics ahead of the examination, as all information required will be
uploaded from the data captured by the NIMC.
“Henceforth NIN will be compulsory
for the UTME registration,” Benjamin said.
for the UTME registration,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin further said that the board
had made adequate arrangement with the NIMC for prospective candidates to be
registered at the examination centres or with its licensed agents, and for such
candidates who had registered and had acquired the NIN before attaining the age
of 16, they would be required to update their NIN registration status before
registering for the UTME.
had made adequate arrangement with the NIMC for prospective candidates to be
registered at the examination centres or with its licensed agents, and for such
candidates who had registered and had acquired the NIN before attaining the age
of 16, they would be required to update their NIN registration status before
registering for the UTME.
“In case a candidate lost or
misplaced his NIN, the candidate can retrieve it by either going to the NIMC
office; its licensed agent or dial *346# (USSD code on the SIM card number
earlier used to register for the NIN).
misplaced his NIN, the candidate can retrieve it by either going to the NIMC
office; its licensed agent or dial *346# (USSD code on the SIM card number
earlier used to register for the NIN).
“Candidate’s name as stated on the
NIMC database will be the same as the one on JAMB’s data registration form.”
NIMC database will be the same as the one on JAMB’s data registration form.”
Promises
kept
kept
In 2016, the newly appointed registrar/chief
executive of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has said the task of improving on
the work of his predecessor was a collective one.
executive of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has said the task of improving on
the work of his predecessor was a collective one.
“Whether my period here is short,
truncated or long, what is important is to do my duty and leave the stage
better than we met it, just as my predecessors have done. Setting the stage is
a collective responsibility and we all have to make this great board even
greater.”
truncated or long, what is important is to do my duty and leave the stage
better than we met it, just as my predecessors have done. Setting the stage is
a collective responsibility and we all have to make this great board even
greater.”
“The time is short and we need to hit
the ground running, with the fervent hope that the same support you accorded my
predecessors which was instrumental to their success, will be accorded me too.
the ground running, with the fervent hope that the same support you accorded my
predecessors which was instrumental to their success, will be accorded me too.
“Each of us was being patriotic to
his constituency at that time. I sincerely believe that when you look back, you
won’t have a cause to shake your head in contempt of what the JAMB you left has
become.”
his constituency at that time. I sincerely believe that when you look back, you
won’t have a cause to shake your head in contempt of what the JAMB you left has
become.”
Professor Oloyode, a former vice chancellor of the University of
Ilorin and secretary-general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria,
explained that while JAMB was already great, there was room to make some
changes.
Ilorin and secretary-general, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria,
explained that while JAMB was already great, there was room to make some
changes.
“I am inheriting a great JAMB but
there is still sufficient room for improvement so that the board can even be
greater if we all change accordingly.”
there is still sufficient room for improvement so that the board can even be
greater if we all change accordingly.”
He explained that in his time as JAMB
boss, he would pursue a five-point agenda, focusing on enhanced staff welfare,
discipline, improved technology, transparency and advanced networking. He kept
the promise.
boss, he would pursue a five-point agenda, focusing on enhanced staff welfare,
discipline, improved technology, transparency and advanced networking. He kept
the promise.
Withholding
doubtful results
doubtful results
JAMB registered about 1.8m candidates
for UTME. 76.2 per cent of the 1,792,719 candidates who sat for 2019
examination scored below 200 out of 400.
for UTME. 76.2 per cent of the 1,792,719 candidates who sat for 2019
examination scored below 200 out of 400.
Oloyede said in May, “34,120
candidates had their result withheld for examination malpractice, also 15,145
results were withheld for further clarification.”
candidates had their result withheld for examination malpractice, also 15,145
results were withheld for further clarification.”
He mentioned that some of the
irregularities that marred the 2019 UTME include; multiple registrations,
manipulation of biometrics, impersonation and deliberate destruction of power
sources during the examination.
irregularities that marred the 2019 UTME include; multiple registrations,
manipulation of biometrics, impersonation and deliberate destruction of power
sources during the examination.
Sponsored
attacks on JAMB
attacks on JAMB
Despite the landmark achievements of
JAMB under Oloyede some fraudulent Nigerians sponsor campaigns of calumny against
his efforts. Oloyede confirmed this in
Abuja while presenting one Cletus, 20, who allegedly falsified his UTME result to
newsmen.
JAMB under Oloyede some fraudulent Nigerians sponsor campaigns of calumny against
his efforts. Oloyede confirmed this in
Abuja while presenting one Cletus, 20, who allegedly falsified his UTME result to
newsmen.
The board had on June 24, presented a
19-year-old Eche, who allegedly falsified his UTME result, yet wrote a letter
of complaint to the board for presenting him with two results.
19-year-old Eche, who allegedly falsified his UTME result, yet wrote a letter
of complaint to the board for presenting him with two results.
The registrar frowned at the
fraudulent trend, saying that it was unfortunate that the board was making
efforts to serve the public yet it was being discouraged by detractors.
fraudulent trend, saying that it was unfortunate that the board was making
efforts to serve the public yet it was being discouraged by detractors.
“This is especially when cases that were meant
to be investigated were not appropriately done.
to be investigated were not appropriately done.
“We believe that there is an
organised and sponsored campaign against JAMB for whatever reason.
organised and sponsored campaign against JAMB for whatever reason.
“We have no apology, but will want
the public, who might be misinformed to always know the situation at hand and
the gravity of what we do.”
the public, who might be misinformed to always know the situation at hand and
the gravity of what we do.”