JAMB to Stop Setting Uniform Cut-Off Marks for Varsities, Others

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB to stop uniform cut-off points for admitting candidates that took the Universities Tertiary Matriculation Examination. ‘Let institutions admit what they want according to their needs. This means that if a university wants 250 as minimum cut off marks, why not let it be and if another want less, then so be it.’

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has hinted that it may cancel the use of uniform cut-off points for admitting candidates that took the Universities Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The Spokesperson of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, gave the indication in a statement he issued on behalf of its Registrar/Chief Executive, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, on Sunday evening in Abuja.

The statement said Mr. Oloyede called for a national debate on the propriety of cut off marks as institutions should be allowed to determine the kind of candidates they wanted.

It argued that the uniformity of cut of marks did not in any way make sense when Colleges and Polytechnics admit for NCE and Diplomas.

It said the universities on the other hand, admitted for degrees and yet all candidates were subjected to the same cut off marks.

It added that such stopped the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education from admitting candidates whom, if not engaged, might compromise their future.

 The statement expressed worries over class opportunities as it affected the distribution of admission resources, noting that the rich had multiple opportunities, including going abroad for studies.

It said the poor only had the opportunity of struggling for the scarce access within the country.

The statement said children of the rich also participated in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and if they do not get the required cut-off marks, they proceeded abroad to further their studies.

It noted that on return at the end of their academic pursuits, their rich parents get them integrated.

It said their less privileged counterparts who could not afford such luxury stay behind still trying to get access that might never come.

“Let institutions admit what they want according to their needs. This means that if a university wants 250 as minimum cut off marks, why not let it be and if another want less, then so be it.

“If a polytechnic like Yaba College of Technology in Lagos wants 250 students, let it admit and if Gboko Polytechnic in Benue wants less than 200 let it be.

“Institutions should be known for their individual quality and not collective standard.

“This will foster positive competition for the overall good of our tertiary institutions,’’ the statement said.