2600 visually impaired candidates, others sit for UTME since 2017

No fewer than 2600 visually impaired candidates and people with different disabilities have sat for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) carried out by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from


2017 up to now.

Sunday Ododo, the coordinator Abuja Centre of JAMB Equal Alternative Group (JEOG) who disclosed this at a press convention in Abuja, 513 of such candidates have been getting admission into greater establishments of studying from 2019 up to now.

JEOG was arrange by Is-haq Oloyede, the JAMB registrar in 2017 to present stage taking part in subject for candidates with particular wants, sitting for UTME.

Ododo defined that in 2019, 175 candidates got admission in greater establishments in Nigeria, 89 got admission in 2020 and 110 have been admitted in 2021 whereas 139 candidates gained admission in 2022.

He stated 337 are candidates sitting for the examination throughout the nation in 11 JAMB equal alternative centres unfold over the six geopolitical zones.

The coordinator stated, presently


JAMB equal alternative group does care just for the blind however these with different disabilities like Albinism and so they have lately added Consideration-deficit /Hyperactivity Dysfunction neighborhood

“I need you to know that in testing these candidates, there isn’t a favoritism, it’s the similar take a look at devices which are given to common candidates that also they are examined on. Now we have 20 topics on which they’re examined on 12 months in, 12 months out.

“The mode of administration of this examination is using brailles, PCs, typewriters and generally voice to paper. We learn to the candidates that may not write. Some are usually not blind however they can’t write so once they hear the questions, they pronounce the solutions, an official who’s an knowledgeable enter the reply on their behalf. That method, the truth that they can’t write doesn’t put them at drawback,” he stated.

Ododo stated JEOG has put a proposal to JAMB to make sure that there’s appropriation of ICT parts into actions in order that in years to return, particular candidates will start to reply their questions utilizing the Laptop Based mostly Check and (CBT).

He stated: “A pilot demonstration will come up later within the 12 months. As soon as that’s executed, the candidates will given the chance to decide on the mode of examination administration they need and step by step we’ll start to demphasised braille for using ICT to jot down the UTME.”

The coordinator additional disclosed that JAMB has accredited to host Africa biennial convention on equal alternatives in greater establishments ranging from 2024 whereas a nationwide convention on the theme has additionally been accredited to carry in September, 2023.

He stated JAMB has additionally accredited that by 2024, there will probably be gradual migration to the complete CBT mode of examination for the blind candidates.

Additionally talking, Jake Epelle, the chief government/founding father of the Abino Basis (TAF) and member of JEOG known as on universities and different tertiary establishments to permit Individuals With Disabilities to selected their alternative of programs of research with out interference.

“We need to use this chance to please ship a powerful message to non-public universities and a few public universities that aren’t giving individuals with disabilities the chance to learn programs of their alternative.

“We have to cease that and permit individuals to learn programs of their alternative. There may be nothing we can’t do, our incapacity is bodily, we don’t have mind incapacity,” he stated.

On JEOG, Epelle stated: “JAMB has prolonged membership to incorporate members of the PWD leaders. The entire candidates that you just see right here at this time with because of Oloyede have been feried from their properties to lodges, feed and ready for this exams for gratis to them in any respect.

“JAMB is bearing this price and there plans to develop it accommodate extra individuals with disabilities. On the finish of the day, I feel JAMB will want extra funding to have the ability to perform this type of particular service.”