- Unattended candidates to write test today, tomorrow
Parents and candidates for the rescheduled 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) mock were yesterday, disappointed, as the test could not hold in many centres due to technological hitches.
In other centres across the Lagos metropolis, applicants, scheduled to write the examination at 7:00 a.m., waited in vain, as the Computer-Based Test (CBT) could not stream due to the absence of a signal.
The exercise is an optional examination introduced by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to provide an opportunity for hands-on experience and to ascertain the board’s readiness and its partners for the main test, holding between April 29 and May 12.
Some guardians expressed disappointment that the examination could not hold till 4:00 pm.
Initially, a staff addressed parents and candidates, intimating them that the test would hold by 2:00p.m, adding that if signal was not got, the examination would be postponed till today.
But the parents tackled JAMB for putting their wards through so much stress.
“Asking us to come back by 2:00 p.m. was one of the most insensitive statements to come from a body like JAMB. I came from Ikorodu, and slept in a hotel near the centre to get to the venue on time. Is JAMB asking us to go back to the hotel where we had already checked out and come back here by 2:00 p.m. for an examination they are not sure would hold?” a parent lamented.
For instance, at the West African Examination Council (WAEC) international office centre at Ogba, Ikeja, candidates and parents were seen milling around the gate, looking tired and dejected. Some of them said they arrived at the centre as early as 6:00 a.m.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to write the exams. Since morning, they kept telling us that there was no signal, and we have been waiting since then, a candidate, who identified himself as Divine, lamented.
The situation was the same at the JKK centre on Ikorodu Road, as candidates waited endlessly to write the test, while officials struggled to get a signal.
At Sure Academy, Ikeja, the examination could not hold as of the time of filing this report due to the same technology glitch.
A parent, Janet Oladejo, who escorted her ward to the venue at Iyana Ipaja, said they have to lodge overnight at a hotel close by to arrive early for the examination.
“Unfortunately, as of 4:00 p.m., my daughter is yet to sit for the exam. Already, she is tired, hungry, and dejected. JAMB officials and management of the centre kept telling us to wait, while they fix the computers. Tell me, how can candidates write an examination and pass in this kind of situation?”
“It is disappointing that at a time like this in the history of Nigeria when elections, census, and other government projects have failed due to poor technology, it is surprising that JAMB is found wanting,” she lamented.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, while assuring that the situation is under control, said the examination would certainly be held though behind schedule.
About 168,748 students registered for the mock out of the over 1.5 million prospective candidates for this year’s UTME, according to official statistics.
At La-Vogue British School, Kurudu, Abuja, the first batch of candidates, began the test at 3.30 p.m.
Thousands of candidates, who traveled from near and wide, waited endlessly.
AMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the organisation would reschedule the examination for today and tomorrow for some candidates, who could not take the test.
The Guardian
