By Bashir Shu’aibu Jammaje

In 2016, Mr Shodunke Oludotun alleged that many candidates failed because the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) used the wrong software to mark the exam. From insiders’ finding in JAMB, they realized the 2015/2016 software interfered with 2016/2017 results, which led to the massive failure of the students. Fortunately, JAMB did nothing about it. What can you say about that?

Take the case of using the CBT, for instance, I’m not against using the Computer Based Test (CBT), but it’s full of irregularities that led to candidates’ mass failure. I sat for my JAMB in 2015, just after finishing my diploma – because I wouldn’t want to wait for a year to further my study. My computer was so bad; it would shut itself down and then come back on. That, I couldn’t finish answering the whole questions. Allah is the Greatest; I got 260.

Ever since the inception of JAMB in 1978, it has been many people’s Achilles hill as they can’t dance to the tune of the exams, thereby leading to mass examination failure. To worsen the whole case, then boom, the CBT came in.

To a certain extent, you are correct; no one can deny that more than 70% of the students don’t study in line with the syllabus. But, there are numberless students, who read like mad, amongst them, those who sat for it more than thrice.

It’s high time you stopped placing the blame only on the students and turning a blind eye to the system’s failure. The government should bring about another body, as a JAMB competitor, so they act their ages when they realize they don’t have a monopoly over the test.

It is appalling that many candidates still cannot operate the computer system during the exam, thereby failing. I can hear you saying why can’t they join some extramural centres? How about the abject failure of the government to provide a way to help them with the training? Do you think of the parents who can’t afford that? The critics of these candidates should get themselves some more time to think this issue over. Please, do not worsen their misery.

Bashir Shu’aibu Jammaje can be reached via bashjam90@gmail.com

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3 thought on “Are candidates to blame for mass failure in the UTME exam?”
  1. I know i shouldn’t kick the ball directly to the students but the mass failure happens due lack of concentration of our brothers in their academic activities, they are just addicted to use GSM for downloading and watching a series films, Charting with their friends and their vibes, playing games, e.t.c they don’t know how that GSM will help them archive their ambitions in any field.
    You won’t suprise till when you see Basic 9 students using a lattest Android version to watch movies, and charts, but he doesn’t even know the purpose or how to use an email address.😥
    I don’t attend any private or government board Schools and I write my jamb 2018 and most of my friends haven’t start using Android phone till when when we are about to start UG 1 lectures in BUK and thank God I am now writing my second semester exams in level 2.
    I proud of my success and I know It comes due to my prayers to Allah ,performance,
    and attending alot of public extra mural lessons in my neighborhood.

    Sincerely speaking our parents have a tremendous role to play like preventing their children to use phones till they become matured enough.
    Our elders in the community too have to wake up and guide&counsel our yongs to what will benefit them through organising a foundations, forums, etc for extra mural lessons for computer literacy.
    Jamb are doing better but we are begging to increase their performance excersising their machines before the commencement of exams and employing expert in that field
    Because no one is perfect.
    May Allah help us

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