Frankly, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has helped tremendously to uplift credibility and fairness as regards admission issues.
Recently, the board introduced the Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for prospective candidates. The mode was introduced in 2013 and was partly utilised during the selection examination for the 2014/2015 academic session.
But the CBT is now fully applied by the board in the UTME. This time, it is mandatory for every candidate. Indeed, the CBT should go a long way to reducing examination malpractice or impersonation.
However, JAMB has to realise that many factors need be in place to guarantee accuracy and ease congestion in examinations. Most of the candidates in the examination have expressed disappointment while many others cried foul for having missed their exams.
These lamentations are not unconnected to database mishandling. Nevertheless, I never expected 100% accuracy, knowing fully that the CBT is relatively new. One, more examination centres ought to be approved to accommodate as many computer systems as possible so that candidates will not be asked to wait endlessly before they would be admitted into the exam halls due to lack of space or insufficient computer systems.
This measure would also enable JAMB to conduct the examination only in one day thereby curtailing the possible stress of officials. Secondly, more ICT experts are needed to boost the network challenges being faced by candidates and the examiners; in addition, the management should endeavour to continuously source for world-class software for their networking activities, so that the system can be protected from any form of hacking in future.
The CBT initiative is worthwhile and commendable, but JAMB must also acknowledge that ‘second to none’ rather than ‘second best’ is ideal. I can see JAMB taking the country forward in education technology. The public deserves to be sensitised on the significance of the scheme.
Fred Nwaozor,
Awka, Anambra state