NaijNaira
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has taken steps to create a level playing field for Persons With Disability (PWDs) by establishing 11 centres for them to take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
The JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) was created to address the challenges faced by PWDs during the exam.
The group has processed over 2,600 candidates from special communities for the UTME.
In 2021, 110 blind candidates were given admission out of the 332 that sat for the UTME.
The mode of examination administration for PWDs is a blended-use of Personal Computers (PCs) and traditional Braille slate and stylus/typewriters.
The 11 centres for special candidates are located in Ado-Ekiti, Bauchi, Benin, Enugu, Jos, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Oyo, Yola and Abuja.
JEOG has put forward a proposal for gradual appropriation of ICT components into the administration of JEOG, and JAMB has approved a gradual migration to the full CBT mode customised for blind candidates.
A pilot run will be conducted later in the year to test this mode while also giving options to candidates who choose fully Braille, fully CBT and full read-aloud modes.
JEOG member, Jake Epelle, called on tertiary institutions to give opportunities to PWDs to study courses of their choice.
The examination for visually impaired candidates is being held between April 27 and April 29, under the supervision of JEOG.
