JAMB Announces Mop-Up UTME for Candidates Who Missed Initial Exams
Special Examination to Accommodate 5.6% of Absent Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed plans to conduct additional mop-up examinations for candidates who missed their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The Board estimates that approximately 5.6% of registered candidates were unable to sit for their scheduled tests.
Inclusive Approach to Examination Challenges
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. He emphasized that the special mop-up exercise would be available to all affected candidates, regardless of their reasons for missing the initial examination.
Addressing Examination Challenges
Oloyede acknowledged the emotional difficulties surrounding the UTME results announcement but maintained that these challenges do not reflect institutional weakness. He rejected suggestions that administrative issues stemmed from incompetence or ethnic bias, stating: “I want to say this clearly, particularly because I accepted responsibility, not because I do not know how to do the work.”
Commitment to Fairness and Equity
The Registrar strongly condemned ethnic profiling in education and criticized those exploiting difficulties to promote divisive narratives. He emphasized JAMB’s commitment to impartiality: “People that work with me have testified to the fact that I do not care where you come from.”
Details of the Mop-Up Examination
Oloyede explained the Board’s rationale for the special arrangement: “We are creating a new mop-up. Even those who missed the earlier exam due to absence we will extend this opportunity to them.” He compared the process to classroom make-up tests, noting that while the Board prevents abuse of the system, it recognizes legitimate reasons for absence.
Understanding the UTME’s Purpose
The Registrar also took the opportunity to clarify misconceptions about the UTME, stating: “The UTME is a placement test, not an achievement test.” He emphasized that high scores alone don’t guarantee admission, as institutions consider multiple factors including post-UTME results and school assessments.
Oloyede commended candidates who persevered through challenges to complete their exams, noting an impressive 95% attendance rate across all sessions.
For more details, read the original article on Daily Trust.