The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has promised to improve access to tertiary education for People With Disabilities (PWDs).
Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede
made the pledge on Monday, September 16, 2024 at a press conference in Abuja.
Oloyede stated that the Board had introduced several strategic initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity within the education sector:
“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”, he said.
The JAMB Boss further disclosed that the Board was providing the necessary assistive tools, such as braille machines and screen readers, to facilitate learning and testing.
He revealed that they were also training educators to be more aware of the diverse needs of students and to employ inclusive teaching methodologies.
In addition, he informed that they were partnering with government bodies, NGOs, and international organisations to ensure that JAMB’s policies were not only inclusive but also impactful.
“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.
“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”, he said.
