In a recent development, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has openly opposed the clamor for an extension of the validity period for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results beyond one year. The assertion comes after increasing calls for such an extension, which Oloyede believes overlook critical considerations.
During a courtesy visit to The Guardian’s corporate headquarters, Oloyede addressed the issue, emphasizing the unique nature of the UTME. Contrary to widespread misconceptions, the UTME is not a comprehensive assessment but a ranking examination. Oloyede stated, “Our examination does not qualify you for any placement; it is your five credits in O’ Level that places you in the university or polytechnic.” He emphasized that a high UTME score alone is insufficient for admission if the candidate lacks the required O’ Level credits.
The JAMB CEO’s viewpoint was supported by Professor Boniface Nworgu, a renowned authority on Educational Measurement and Evaluation from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Nworgu highlighted that the UTME is a norm-referenced test, implying that its scores are interpreted in relation to the specific group that took the test in a given year. This contextual aspect makes cross-year score comparisons problematic and could lead to unfairness or lack of equity.
Nworgu raised valid concerns about the differing psychometric characteristics of the UTME across different years. He questioned the fairness of juxtaposing the scores of candidates who faced varying levels of difficulty in successive exams. “In assessment, fairness and equity are very important considerations,” Nworgu stated.
The call for extending the validity period stems from the belief that candidates should have more time to utilize their UTME scores in university admission processes. However, Oloyede’s counterargument is grounded in the UTME’s fundamental nature as a ranking tool rather than a comprehensive evaluation. He also highlighted that the examination body has been investing in the education sector through the establishment of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers and financial support to universities.
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The statistics revealed by Oloyede were enlightening. Out of the 1,635,673 candidates who participated in this year’s UTME, only 399,000 managed to secure the required five O’ Level credits, including English and Mathematics. This underscores the importance of focusing on comprehensive education standards rather than elongating the UTME result validity.
In response to Oloyede’s assertions, Maiden Alex-Ibru, the Publisher of The Guardian, commended JAMB’s commitment to its responsibilities. She assured that the organization would continue to uphold truthful reporting without bias.
The discussion around extending the validity period of UTME results remains a contentious issue, with advocates seeking a balance between candidates’ convenience and the UTME’s true purpose as a ranking examination. As the debate continues, it’s evident that comprehensive education standards and fairness should remain at the forefront of the discourse.
Source: The Guardian
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