Why has the 7 a.m. UTME schedule by JAMB sparked a flurry of criticisms and concerns across social media? Could this early timing pose serious challenges for candidates travelling long distances to reach their exam centres? How are students and parents reacting to this situation, and what changes are being called for by the public? Explore the debate around JAMB's scheduling decisions and the potential impact on thousands of Nigerian students.
The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), is at the heart of recent uproar as Nigerians express their dissatisfaction over the scheduling of the exams as early as 7 a.m. This time slot has drawn significant criticism, particularly from social media users who are concerned about the logistical challenges it poses for candidates.
JAMB, the authoritative body overseeing admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions, has set some examination times at 7 a.m., sparking debates about the suitability of such early timings. These sessions are particularly concerning for those whose examination centres are located far from their homes.
Typically, examination centres admit candidates in three separate batches, scheduled for 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12 p.m. This scheduling strategy came under scrutiny when PREMIUM TIMES interviewed a candidate who had to travel more than 50 kilometres from Gwagwalada to Tudun Wada CBT Hub at Government Secondary School, Zone 4 in Abuja.
The core of the issue lies in the risk of candidates from distant locations missing their early morning slot. Voices from across the digital landscape have called on JAMB to reconsider and potentially reschedule these morning sessions to a later time. On social media platforms, users voiced their concerns, emphasising the challenges related to security and travel distance. A notable tweet from user @Ogunsbaba_85038 stated, “This 7 am exam is insensitive, security wise, and distance factor, at least exam can start by 9 am.“
Further amplifying these concerns, another user, @ShegsGraphics12, highlighted instances where candidates who arrived late were not permitted to sit for their examination. The tweet urged JAMB to address issues faced by these candidates, thereby pointing to a need for flexibility in the examination’s administration.
In response to the growing discontent, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, clarified to PREMIUM TIMES that the examinations do not begin precisely at 7 a.m. Instead, this time allows candidates to settle down and familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres before the actual examination commences.
Despite these clarifications, the scheduling issue remains a hot topic as more than 1.9 million candidates are expected to sit for the UTME between Friday, 19, and Monday, 29 April. The call for a more considerate scheduling approach continues to resonate, urging JAMB to prioritise the convenience and safety of its examinees.
JAMB has consistently advised candidates to arrive at their examination venues ahead of time, emphasising that latecomers will be considered absent, as highlighted in a recent post on their official social media page.
As the debate unfolds, it is clear that both the examination body and the candidates must find a middle ground that accommodates the logistical realities of attending early morning sessions while maintaining the integrity and smooth conduct of the UTME.