JAMB Orders Arrest of Parents Near CBT Centres during UTME Exercise

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued stringent directives to Computer-Based Test (CBT) center owners ahead of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). In a virtual meeting held on Wednesday with CBT center operators and owners, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Isaq Oloyede, emphasized the importance of maintaining exam integrity by preventing unauthorized individuals, particularly parents, from interfering with the examination process.

According to a statement released by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the directive aims to curb instances of parental intrusion, which have been identified as facilitators of examination malpractice and disruptions in previous exam sessions. Any parent found near a CBT center during the UTME exercise will be apprehended, and candidates associated with such parents will face disqualification from the exam.

The decision to implement strict measures comes as a response to ongoing concerns regarding the integrity of the UTME and the need to safeguard the credibility of the examination. The statement highlights that certain individuals, disguised as parents, have been known to infiltrate exam centers to engage in various forms of misconduct, posing a threat to the fairness and validity of the examination process.

In addition to the directive targeting parents, JAMB has also instructed security agents to collaborate with CBT center owners to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination nationwide. The statement underscores the importance of adhering to the national policy on education, which mandates that candidates must be at least 17 years old to sit for the UTME. Parents attempting to accompany underage candidates to exam venues in an attempt to compromise exam officials will face severe sanctions.

The UTME is scheduled to take place across 700 CBT centers across the country, with JAMB expressing confidence in the seamless execution of the examination. However, the board has assured candidates and stakeholders that adequate provisions have been made to address any technical challenges that may arise during the examination process.

In the event of technical glitches during a session, affected candidates will be rescheduled for subsequent sessions, ensuring that the integrity of the examination is maintained. Candidates and parents are urged to remain calm in such situations and refrain from disrupting subsequent exam sessions. Any candidate or parent found responsible for causing disruptions will face immediate disqualification from the examination.

The implementation of these measures underscores JAMB’s commitment to upholding the integrity and credibility of the UTME. By enforcing strict protocols and collaborating with stakeholders, the board aims to create a conducive environment for candidates to demonstrate their academic abilities without fear of interference or misconduct.

As the UTME approaches, candidates are reminded to familiarize themselves with the examination guidelines and adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by JAMB. With collective efforts and adherence to ethical standards, the 2024 UTME is expected to be conducted with the highest level of integrity, ensuring a fair and transparent assessment process for all candidates.