JAMB: How missionary school championed exam malpractice during UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says that a missionary school in Abia state championed examination malpractice during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Fabian Benjamin, head, media and information, JAMB, disclosed this to NAN in Lagos on Tuesday.

He said that cables were seen to have been secretly connected to a distant hall for hired mercenaries to write for candidates in the unnamed Abia school.

“This is very unfortunate given the fact that the school is a missionary school and supposed to be a leading light against such vices,” Benjamin said.

“But, rather, it was conniving, supporting and indeed championing the evil course of examination malpractice.”

He said that results from such schools would be treated in accordance with the provision of the law.

“We want to appeal to Nigerians to understand that such candidates whose results are being previewed may not necessarily have participated in any malpractice,” he said.

“But rather, centres, where they sat for the examination, had issues during the conduct of examination.

“These issues were reflected on the CCTV footage and this suggests why they must be carefully investigated before releasing such results.”

He said that a task force has been inaugurated by Is-haq Oloyede, the registrar of the board, to look into all such issues and has since concluded the review of the CCTV footage and other pieces of evidence presented.

He said the task force would forward its reports to the appropriate quarters for the scrutiny and onward release of all remaining results.

“We urge candidates to note that no result will be withheld without a cogent reason as this explains why we are taking time to ensure that those who are innocent are exonerated,” Benjamin said.

“Again, candidates are advised not to patronise any centre, office or shop for any service; please visit our offices in all the 36 states of the Federation and FCT for any complaint, enquiry or assistance.”

Benjamin further noted that JAMB is yet to release cut-off marks for placements into tertiary institutions for the 2017 academic year.

He said that the policy committee meeting responsible for the determination of cut-off marks had not met.

The JAMB spokesperson said it is in the best interest of candidates and other critical stakeholders to jettison cut-off marks for the various courses that are currently being paraded.

“We want to appeal to all candidates to jettison such speculations and engage themselves in more meaningful ventures that would add value to their future,” he said.