"For The First Time”: JAMB Announces 577 Visually Impaired Students Taking Exams

“For The First Time”: JAMB Announces 577 Visually Impaired Students Taking Exams

 The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made a significant stride in inclusivity by facilitating the participation of 577 visually impaired students in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) across the nation. The examination, which commenced today, Friday, April 19, will run until April 27, with special provisions in place nationwide to accommodate these candidates. 

Emeritus Professor Peter Okebukola, Chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), shared this update during a press briefing on Thursday, highlighting the board’s commitment to addressing the needs of candidates with disabilities. Established in 2017 by JAMB registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede, JEOG aims to ensure equitable opportunities for all candidates.

Prof. Okebukola announced the implementation of a bimodal system for UTME administration, offering candidates the choice between Fully-Braille and Fully Read-Aloud modes. 

In his words: “This year and for the first time, JAMB, through JEOG, will implement the bimodal system of UTME administration. This involves Fully-Braille and Fully Read-Aloud. Candidates have a choice of mode. JEOG has been resourced by JAMB to make the experience of the two modes of test administration pleasant for the candidates”

 Providing insight into historical data, Prof. Okebukola noted a steady increase in the number of visually impaired candidates sitting for the UTME. “With a total of 577 blind candidates, the 2024 UTME presents the highest number. We had 348 in 2022, and 313 in 2023. The 2024 increase is largely due to increased advocacy by JEOG, a process which will be bolstered in the coming years,” he said. 

In a notable development reported last year by Vanguard, blind students demonstrated impressive performance after JAMB excluded diagrams from their questions, underscoring the importance of inclusive measures in standardized testing.

Credit:Paladin Edu. Consults Legit.ng