JAMB to abolish CBT, set up UTME centers for blind candidates

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made known its resolve to abolish the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode of conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to low computer literacy level of candidates across the country.  The registrar of the board, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede disclosed this yesterday at the opening ceremony […]

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made known its resolve to abolish the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode of conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) due to low computer literacy level of candidates across the country.

 The registrar of the board, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede disclosed this yesterday at the opening ceremony of Strategic Planning Retreat on Monitoring and Supervision of 2017 UTME in Kaduna where he disclosed the plan of the Board to set up dedicated UTME centres for the visually impaired persons.

Speaking further, Professor Is-haq mentioned that the board will not revert to the old paper and pencil mode, but adopt an eight-key device that will eradicate the challenge of computer illiteracy and phobia for use of mouse by some candidates.

“General feedback on the adoption of the Computer Based Test mode showed low computer literacy level of some candidates as well as phobia for the use of mouse. This however is partly responsible for calls from different quarters for reversal to the Paper and Pencil Test mode. But in order to ensure equity and level playing ground for all candidates taking Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, the Board has designed a system that will allow candidates use only eight keys without the use of mouse. All the candidates need to do is press the letters A,B,C,D for responses to questions and keys: P, N, S and R representing; Previous question, Next question, Submit and Reverse, respectively,” he said.

 He disclosed that the board in collaboration with Digital Bridge Institute has resolved to set up dedicated UTME centres for visually impaired candidates in Abuja, Lagos and Kano by 2018.

Ahead of 2018, when the project of dedicated centres is expected to come to fruition, he noted that the Board has reached an understanding with the Association for the Blind Persons in Nigeria and blind students in Lagos. “An abridged approach would be used whereby all prospective blind candidates would be invited to three centres in the country for special assessment in their subjects of choice and relevance to their desired courses.