Of JAMB’s One Year Validity Period -By Usama Abdullahi

I’ve thought of writing about the one year validity period for JAMB exams for so long. But I actually don’t know what brought the hesitations. So many debates were made about it. Also, scholars like Farooq Kperogi has written a short but rather captivating notes on the issue. Upon logging in to my Facebook account this morning, on Daily Trust online page I saw a caption written thus:  ‘One year validity period for JAMB exam remains a challenge’.

Apart from this, I have read many insights from intellectuals who have experienced such at their secondary school levels. This, however, influenced me into contributing to the discussion. All we need to know is the world is dynamic. It does change with time. And the changes sometimes come with impressive improvements. It is thus expected of a country like Nigeria, to be adaptive. As far as a change doesn’t come up with unending challenges, then it’s advisable for a person or country to conform with it.

A Nation supposed to be like a computer: it’s ought to be updated periodically. So in this case of Jamb’s one year of expiry– I urge that–there should be some conspicuous reforms. For the past decades Jamb has been a big challenge to many students who had sat for it. Even so, students unceasingly face it whenever they write the exam.You’ll definitely feel sorry for a victim if he happens to reveal to you what he’s sustained due to JAMB’s ill policy for only a year validity period.

When I read deep from such experiences, I realised that it’s not pleasing for students. There were many of them who wrote the exam and fortunately passed yet couldn’t secure admission from the university of their choice. Thereupon, they were forced to go through polytechnics. It might seems not too bad for you. But it’s really bitter for he who has gone through it. I do also feel for them. What truly disturbs is seeing those that transcended the cut off marks being denied admission.

I may not call it corruption, but others have done so. What to consider is there are less privileged children who can’t afford to re-invest in the JAMB. Though the amount is chicken feed yet they are deprived of their rights and brainpower. These unfriendly acts tend to humble the students. How does it sounds if you passed your SSCE with credits and you got 240 or above in Jamb but the university you applied for failed you undeservedly? That would be a deep anguish.

Up till now no university has provide reasons for such gratuitous act. This is not right. There should be reforms in the system. For it will help improve our educational standard. In an advanced country like America the validity period for SAT (equivalent of our Jamb) is five years. So why wouldn’t we extend ours to at least two years? I see no problem with that.