THE Senate's mandate that its committee investigates all universities and other tertiary institutions that conduct the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) tests is an indication of a disorganised educational system. Already, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is reportedly carrying out a similar process. Stakeholders are uncomfortable with the claims and counter-claims by JAMB and the institutions over the board's credibility, because wrong signals being sent out dent the country's image. The development is unhealthy.However, without prejudice to the outcome of the Senate probe, and irrespective of the conflicting views or directives from the relevant authorities, the post-UTME tests should be sustained only if it would not remain an avenue for the schools to further fleece poor parents, guardians and their wards through questionable charges, and if the exercise would truly ensure that the best qualified students are admitted. At present, it is doubtful if that objective is being achieved by the universities' intervention.Reason should prevail, as the situation does not call for any party to claim victory on a contentious policy. There is need to harmonise views and arguments of all the parties involved. This the government can achieve through the Federal Ministry of Education which hitherto seemed disinterested on the controversy.The Senate's interest on the issue is not necessarily misplaced. But it must aim to serve the interest of the larger public. The upper chamber of the National Assembly had described the post-UTME as illegal and unconstitutional because it believed only JAMB is statutorily qualified to conduct matriculation examinations and had been 'permitted to appoint examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of the subject panel and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations'. The exercise was also variously described as 'wicked, extortionist, a huge rip-off'. Senator Heineken Lokpobiri who brought up the subject alleged a violation of the JAMB Act by the tertiary institutions.The position of the universities is different. The Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCN) admonished the Senators not to be misled, saying the tests are constitutional as they are based on the Act establishing the schools. The VCs cited the autonomy granted the universities, emphasising that their power to admit or play a role in the admission of their students is in accord with practices in other parts of the world. They submitted in particular that the tests had helped to improve the quality of admissions. 'The aptitude tests conducted by the universities were only meant to test the ability of students to receive university education and their preparations,' they argued further.JAMB Registrar Prof. Dibu Ojerinde's public comments at different times on alleged irrelevance of post-UTME tests possibly triggered the sponsored motion and the Senate's debate. The position of the board's chief executive may have further convinced the pro-cancellation senators that efforts are only being duplicated in post-UTME tests. Is JAMB protecting its own interests to avoid official scrutiny for alleged inefficiency' Are the universities actually eroding or undermining the functions of the board due to government's inconsistent policies'Until a few days ago, government maintained an undignified silence over the issue. But speaking in Ilorin, Education Minister Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i supported the VCs' position that the universities have provisions in their enabling Acts to 'have a say in who they actually admit,' although she failed to address the contentious issue of turning the tests into a commercial venture. In fact, other tertiary institutions are taking advantage of the provision in University Acts to run commercial ventures in the guise of conducting post-UTME tests.Apart from undue exploitation however, candidates in search of admission are exposed to great risks while crisscrossing the country, a fact highlighted by the deplorable condition of the roads, as well as high rate of crime on the highways.The Senate should consider the minister's points that the post-UTME should continue 'at least for now,' because there is need to entrench quality. It is important to keep the quality need in focus. But the universities should also appreciate the clearing house role of JAMB in the initial tests. In fact, the minister's pride in JAMB's activities is instructive.It is unfortunate that more than three decades after JAMB's establishment, the people are not too sure of what it represents. By now, question of irregularities, borne out for instance, from doubtful result of the candidates should not arise. There is also no reason for shortage of writing materials for candidates during tests; and the regular confusion about centres, which usually prompt creation of special venues on the eve of exams, should be discouraged.Even with post-UTME, admission processes are riddled with corruption, with admission lists credited to influential persons in the society being dumped on the universities in disregard of due process. Thousands are admitted also through the diploma programmes from the institutions at the expense of candidates who passed through the post-UTME mill. There is need to fine-tune post-UTME tests by the universities to reflect current realities and international best practice to achieve the quality the minister is alluding to in her speech.The proposed summit on the issue by stakeholders to determine the future of post-UTME, announced by Prof. Rufa'i, may be helpful, at least as an opportunity to dissect the ills of higher education.For JAMB to remain relevant, it has to improve on its present performance. Likewise, the charges for post-UTME should be pegged at affordable minimum to save parents from multiple charges.
Click here to read full news..
