*As the examination body announces cut-off mark for universities, polytechnics, COEs
Aspiring undergraduates of tertiary institutions who failed three of the four prescribed subjects are now qualifoed for admission into such institutions.
This is because the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Saturday, announced the minimum points in the Unifed Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, pegging such at a total of 100 marks.
This came after its 2023 policy meeting with stakeholders in Abuja.
However, this terrible decision is seen to only be for students from the northern parts of the country, as secondary day schools students who sat for JAMB from the southern part of the country, with a cumulative score of 200 marks, hardly ever gain admission, except through lobbying and undue influence.
According to JAMB, for universities, the new minimum point is 140; polytechnics and colleges of education 100 points.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this at the end of the 2023 Policy Meeting of Tertiary Institutions which held in Abuja on Saturday.
He asked all institutions must abide by this rule, adding however that they must not offer admission to candidates who scored below the approved points.
He also said that every tertiary institution must ensure its own minimum standard, especially as it relates to institutional screening and grading in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), which must not be lower that 50 marks.
”All institution must abide by this minimum point. This means that no institution can go below the standard.
”For the 15 private universities that demand between 120 and 130 as minimum points, note that the 140 is sacrosanct and must not be violated.
“This is because the system put in place will not recognise 139, so ensure you comply,” he said.
Oloyede also said that institutions must not collect more than N2,000 as screening fees from candidates.
From the decision, any candidate who scored 30 marks in three of the four prescribed subjects, scoring a minimum of 40 marks in just one subject, is qualified for admission.
Analysts wonder why JAMB has consistently allowed itself to succumb to lowering of academic standard every successive year.
The thinking is that as years go by, candidates who outrightly failed in all the subjects would have opportunity to gain admission in some universities in the country. (Additional reports from NAN)
