The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Nigerian examination body responsible for conducting entrance examinations for tertiary-level institutions, has recently established a Candidate Counselling Emergency Support Centre (CCESC) to address urgent candidate concerns. This new support avenue supplements the existing ticketing platform, which JAMB emphasizes remains the preferred and most efficient communication channel. The CCESC provides a direct line of contact for candidates with pressing issues, enabling them to communicate with designated JAMB officials. While the CCESC offers an alternative support channel, JAMB reiterates the primacy of the ticketing system for its speed, ease of use, and guaranteed prompt responses. This dual-pronged approach aims to enhance communication and support for candidates navigating the complexities of the UTME process.
The establishment of the CCESC comes in the wake of a significant rescheduling of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for over 300,000 candidates. JAMB identified technical glitches at certain Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres that resulted in score distortions, necessitating the retake for affected candidates. The rescheduling highlights JAMB’s commitment to ensuring the fairness and integrity of the UTME process, addressing technical challenges, and providing opportunities for candidates to perform under optimal conditions. The decision to implement a retake also underscores the increasing reliance on technology in conducting large-scale examinations and the associated challenges in maintaining consistent technical performance across various centres.
The rescheduling of the UTME, however, intersects with another crucial examination period for prospective tertiary students – the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations. This overlap has raised concerns among candidates about potential clashes between the two examination schedules. The lack of a formal announcement from WAEC regarding timetable adjustments has further amplified candidate anxiety. This confluence of events highlights the complexities of coordinating national examination schedules and the potential impact on student preparedness and performance. The timely resolution of this scheduling conflict is critical to minimizing disruption and ensuring a smooth examination experience for the affected candidates.
JAMB’s introduction of the CCESC alongside its existing ticketing platform signifies its proactive stance towards improving candidate support and communication. By providing multiple channels for assistance, JAMB aims to address a wider range of candidate queries and concerns effectively. The emphasis on the ticketing platform as the primary communication method reflects a strategic approach towards streamlined communication and efficient query resolution. The CCESC serves as a valuable complement, offering personalized assistance for urgent matters requiring immediate attention.
The rescheduling of the UTME for a substantial number of candidates underscores the ongoing challenges in conducting large-scale, technology-dependent examinations. While technology offers numerous advantages in terms of efficiency and standardization, technical glitches can disrupt the process and necessitate remedial measures. JAMB’s response in identifying and addressing the technical issues and providing a retake opportunity demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the UTME and ensuring fairness to all candidates. The experience also highlights the importance of robust technical infrastructure and contingency plans in the administration of computerized examinations.
The intersection of the rescheduled UTME and the WAEC examination schedule presents a logistical challenge for candidates and underscores the need for greater coordination among examination bodies. The potential for examination clashes necessitates proactive communication and timely adjustments to minimize disruption and ensure that candidates can adequately prepare for and participate in both examinations. The uncertainty surrounding the WAEC timetable further exacerbates the situation, highlighting the importance of clear and timely communication from examination bodies to alleviate candidate anxiety and facilitate effective planning. This situation emphasizes the need for inter-agency collaboration and efficient communication strategies to manage competing examination schedules effectively.
