By Ngozi Nwankwo
To ensure fair knowledge of use of Computer among Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, candidates, especially those in rural areas, the Committee on tertiary institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETFund, has called for establishment of Computer Based-Test in all 774 Local Government of the federation.
The Committee, led by its Chairman, Sen.
Muntari Dandutse made the call during the monitoring of the examination at Adevie International Centre,Abuja on Friday.
While commending Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, for introducing Centre Based-Test examination, Dandutse, however, charged the Board for Information Communication and Technology,ICT- driven initiative in schools especially in rural areas.
This, according to him, would allow fair knowledge and experience on the use of Computer and reduce exam failure.
To improve quality education and digital skills of Nigerian children, the chairman said the Committee will conduct assessment of ICT in the 774 local governments so to include the cost of establishing ICT centres in the budget.
” We need to carryout assessment in all the 774 local government to know where there is no ICT Centre so we can forge ahead for the push in 2026 budget because this important examination is key to educational sector,” he said.
Reacting to this concern, the JAMB spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin said the Board has simplified the use of the computer in such a way candidates have minimal functional in the use of computer during UTME.
” Our Computers are programmed in a way that candidates have the option buttons of A B … If your answer is A you press A and the system takes it, if your answer is B you press B the computer enters it, or when you want to go back you press arrow button at the back. Also, if candidates want to submit and cannot do that, when it is time computer will submit. So the function of candidates in the use of Computer is simple,” he said.
Explaining further on what JAMB is doing to help candidates who are inexperienced with use of computer, Benjamin also informed the Committee that JAMB has introduced MOCK examination which aimed at exposing the candidates on the use of the computer before the main UTME.
He, however, solicited the support of the National Assembly members by way of constituting project to have a centre in each of their zone.
” If we have CBT Centers in each of your zone, we would have covered the 774 local governments,” said JAMB.