The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced significant changes to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for 2024 in a historic decision intended to level the playing field for candidates with impairments. This modification demonstrates JAMB’s commitment to equity and diversity in the evaluation processes used in Nigerian higher education.
JAMB’s Advancement in Inclusive Education
Exam questions designed for applicants with visual impairments will no longer include diagrams, pictures, or maps, according to an insightful update from Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s public communication adviser. During a video discussion with school commissioners around the country, this important action was revealed.
Meeting the Requirements of Candidates with Impairments
In his virtual speech, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede highlighted the proactive approach taken by the board to remove any potential disadvantage for blind applicants. Even without any visual components, the questions will be just as challenging as those for the other candidates, so everyone will receive an equal evaluation.
Extending the Scope of UTME’s Inclusive Practices
The Registrar further clarifies the wider range of infirmities that fall under the purview of the UTMEG framework. The board is aware that accommodations for candidates with disabilities go beyond simple visual and auditory impairments. Among these include Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others.
National Conference Resolution
The decisions from the most recent “National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria,” where talks focused on improving access to education for all, are in line with this progress. The meeting was organized by JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), which has been crucial in tackling the educational obstacles experienced by applicants with impairments.
Providing Fair Access to Education
With these specially designed JAMB materials, Nigerian education is taking a step toward inclusivity by guaranteeing that all applicants, with or without impairments, have an equal chance to achieve academic success.
When you, as an educational sector stakeholder, consider these developments, it becomes evident that JAMP’s dedication to inclusion is not only admirable but also a vital force behind social improvement. The steps taken in preparation for the UTME 2024 attest to JAMB’s commitment to maintaining justice and equitable access to higher education.
Credit: Myschoolgist
