JAMB 2015: Mandated computer-based tests -Nigerians speak

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through its registrar recently stated that candidates who were not computer literate would not be allowed to write any examination coordinated by the board from 2015. 

Although, the board had embarked on the establishment of computer test centers across the country to prepare students for all its examinations, many are still of the opinion that mandating candidates to write a computer-based test (CBT) may not be feasible.

Ayodele Ayeni: How will you conduct CBT when students in some rural areas have never even operated computers before in their lives? What has happened to equal opportunity for everyone? It is rather unfortunate that we do not look at the circumstances on ground before making policies.

Okpe Felix: This is not possible because many students in this country are not exposed to the computer, so JAMB needs to review the policy.

Akinfenwa Sunday Muyiwa: If the population of people using the mobile phone could reach 150 million, then, computer literacy should have gone up as well. We may not be fully ready yet, but gradually we’ll get there.

Kenny Opeyemi Abeeblah: It is high time computers are taken to rural areas.

Haziz Harisekola Ju’mah: I am not new to the CBT and it has proven to me that you don’t need to be computer literate to attempt a CBT.

Isikalu Seun: Not all students that are in urban cities have access to computers, let alone their rural counterparts. I am sure that this concept is not feasible and it will even constitute more educational problems across the federation.

Taiwo Peter Arowolo: It is not feasible yet, looking at the large numbers of students in the rural secondary schools across the country. Their knowledge of computer is shallow and mainly theoretical. I will suggest that JAMB should extend the time for full CBT to 2018.

Amadi Justice: This is unacceptable. If there should be CBT, then government should equip all the secondary schools in Nigeria with computers before mandating it.

Salisu Musa Lau: This is stupidity, because it is not everyone that has access to computers, especially those in the villages.

Kariola Mustapha: Yes, it is feasible. Prospective Jambites should get set for this paradigm shift. And the good news is that it is easier and safe to write the CBT.

Oluwole Oshilewe: How could you make such decision in a country that has no computer classes in its government schools? They put their own children in private schools that have computer facilities and they also have computers at home for them. It is not a good idea at all. The poor should also be put into consideration.

Adebayo SamOlu Olatayo: Nigerian public schools are not yet ready for that. Many students in rural communities have never come across computers, and even if they have, writing computer based examination may not be encouraging to them. Remember some of these children are still being forced to be educated.

Nwankwo Anayochukwu: The idea is a right step in the right direction, if the northern part of the country will not shut down the plan with the aid of their brothers and sisters in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Joseph Ikechukwu: Nigeria is overripe for this. In fact, some schools are already ahead in this aspect.

Benjaa Osolife: It is not feasible.

Trippsy Arekintaio: I think education in Nigeria is still at its primitive stage. If ICT needs to be inculcated in our system of examination, I think standard computer outlets should be erected and properly equipped. Also, instructors should be highly trained and students should be trained intensively ahead of the date of the examinations.

Oluwaremilekun Alex Ojekunle: It is very feasible because if we don’t move forward and continue to educate the younger ones on the use of ICT, then we will be stuck with the old form of accessing education. Many secondary school leavers are on 2go, Facebook and Twitter, chatting and doing all sort of things. So there is nothing stopping these set of people from taking CBT. This will also train most of them on ICT tools and get them prepared for the task ahead in the tertiary institutions. It is a laudable initiative.

Elijah Kwaghe: Many students in my village have never seen a computer, let alone operate it. How many schools have computers in the remote local government areas?

Adedokun Adedayo: I believe they should embark on massive free computer trainings especially at the rural areas first.

Jaf Sinzu Ayika: It is very feasible. Let’s make Nigeria a digital hub.

Badmus Tunde: It is a welcome development. It is high time government at all levels be proactive and equip schools with computers.

Chiroma Ali: Let them provide furniture in Nigerian schools first.

Liadi Sefiu: How are they going to know if someone isn’t computer literate? Surely this is just an avenue to force people to attend their training. I’m sure if you don’t, then you are not computer literate.

Glory Maduagwu: It is a good idea if they will make it easy for the masses, so that both rich and poor will benefit from it. After all, no knowledge is wasted.

Abayomi Sule Suraj: It is a very good idea, but we really need to put some things in place first before implementing such policy. For instance, the issue of access to electricity and even the computer itself should be considered.

Hundu Gbasha: JAMB should know it is not central in the nation’s education system. It is too insignificant to hold the country to ransom. Not even WAEC or NECO ever came up with such propositions.

Adegbehingbe Abayomi: Using computers to write objective tests does not require rocket science. Just learn how to punch the letters on the computer system. We should all support what will put an end to examination malpractice. Moreso, education means the acquisition of knowledge and life skills. It is unfair to advocate that children in the rural areas receive second class education just because they live in the rural areas.

Manfa Miracle Mark: The idea is good, but the question is how long will it take the Federal Government to introduce computer as a subject in our various government schools?

Mike Obibi: It will only be a welcome idea if the Federal Government will distribute computers to all secondary schools in Nigeria.

Ibrahim Obia: It is too bad that we impose what we see in advanced nations to our not so upright nation. It will only make access to education difficult for the common man.

Kingdom Nwafor: This is the best thing that can happen to the Nigerian education system. If not for any other thing, it will stop examination malpractice.

Ejika John: That is not proper. Candidates should have the opportunity to choose either the CBT or PPT and not that only those who are computer literate would be allowed to write the examination. That is improper.

Acholo Henry: It is very feasible. All we need do is domesticate the use of computer, not just for JAMB considering the global trend.

Aliu Reuben: This is the computer age. So, the society should learn to adapt to changes.

Tijani Bashir: Nigeria educational system in the conduct of exams is certainly not ripe for this.

Hamza Adamu Jumba: It is not feasible because even in our universities, you will see undergraduates that are not computer literate, not to talk of secondary students.