By Ngozi Nwankwo
Joint Admissions and Matriculation, JAMB has held its First Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) to fashion ways for inclusion and improved access to higher education for persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the conference, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede
said conference aimed to enhance access to higher education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and improve the learning environment in tertiary institutions in Africa.
He said thee regional conference is expected to attract participants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Egypt and other African countries.
Oloyede expressed optimism that the
conference would provide the platform to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions that will help bridge the gap in educational access for PWDs.
“Today, as we prepare for this very important conference, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for all, with particular emphasis on persons with disabilities (PWD).
“Commitment to Inclusion
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through the Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), has been at the forefront of ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with a level playing field in accessing higher education. It is not enough to simply open doors of opportunity; we must ensure that these doors are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities,” he said.
On the ARCEAHED,’24, the board said,
” As we mark the launch of the 1st Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED’24).
“It is our fervent belief that this conference will provide the platform to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions that will help bridge the gap in educational access for PWDs. We recognize that education is a fundamental human right, and as such, we are dedicated to making higher education more inclusive and accessible across Africa.”
The theme of this year’s conference, is, “Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities in Educational and Economic Development.”
Oloyede said the theme speaks to the importance of harnessing the talents and contributions of PWDs in shaping the future of our society.
According to him, education is the cornerstone of personal empowerment, economic development, and national growth.
“When we invest in inclusive education, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future for all,” said Oloyede.
Speaking on its strategic initiative put in place, the registrar said, “At JAMB, we have introduced several strategic initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity within the education sector. These initiatives include: Specialised Testing Centres: Dedicated centres are provided for PWDs who cannot sit the UTME in the normal CBT centres to ensure they are not disadvantaged during examinations.
” The Board has reduced the registration fee for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination from N5,000 to N3,500 to ensure equitable access to tertiary education. To support candidates with disabilities with 5 O’ level credits in Senior Secondary Certificate, application documents are provided free of charge in addition to other fees (such as CBT centre fee). Furthermore, for visually impaired and other candidates with disabilities who require special examination settings, transport supplementation, free accommodation, and transit are provided during the examination process.”
Other initiatives include: Assistive Technology: Providing the necessary assistive tools, such as braille machines and screen readers, to facilitate learning and testing; Teacher Training: Training educators to be more aware of the diverse needs of students and to employ inclusive teaching methodologies.
It is Partnering with government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations to ensure that its policies are not only inclusive but also impactful.
Speaking further, the JAMB Registrar said, “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government in introducing the student loan and also including PWDs in the scheme, a policy that would go a long way in assisting the Candidates with disabilities to pursue their education.
“We equally commend the National Assembly for device legislations particularly for the passage into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition ) Act. The Ministry of Education is commended for endorsing the policy on ‘Strategic Roadmap for Inclusive Access to Quality Higher Education in Nigeria’ by the National Council on Education. The policy incorporates certain waivers and incentives for candidates with disabilities.We hope that the conference will bring to the fore front critical issues that would enhance the wellbeing of PWDs not only at the national level but at the global level.”
JAMB, however, promised to intensify efforts and build up on its progress.
“As we move forward, we must intensify our efforts and build upon the progress we have made. I call on all stakeholders – government agencies, educational institutions, the private sector, and civil society – to join hands with us in this noble cause. Together, we can create a future where every child, every student, and every citizen has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or abilities. Let this press conference be a reminder that education is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right that must be safeguarded for all. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to build a more inclusive educational system,” said Oloyede.