The Association of Tutorial School Operators (ATSO) in Nigeria has expressed serious concerns over the repeated system failures during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The group attributes these glitches to fundamental weaknesses in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.

Call for Comprehensive Tech Review

In a recent press statement, ATSO President, Mr. Oludotun Sodunke, urged JAMB to conduct a thorough appraisal of its technological systems. He highlighted the need to review the board’s operational architecture and relationships with service providers, who he claims contribute to the recurring errors. 'The recurrence of system failures suggests fundamental ICT infrastructure weaknesses that require comprehensive addressing,' Sodunke said.

Praise for Transparency, Push for Reforms

While commending JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for admitting recent marking errors and taking swift action, ATSO emphasized that deeper reforms are urgently needed. In their statement titled 'Commending JAMB’s Transparency, Addressing Systemic UTME Flaws, and Advocating for Sustainable Reforms,' the association outlined several issues affecting the examination process.

Poor Scheduling and Coordination Criticized

One major concern raised by ATSO is the timing of the UTME, often scheduled in the first quarter of the year before many students complete their WAEC and NECO syllabi. Sodunke argued that the UTME should follow secondary school leaving exams, proposing a shift to July or August. This, he noted, aligns with the admission timelines of most tertiary institutions, which begin in September or October.

Additionally, ATSO criticized the rescheduling of exams for affected candidates, describing it as a 'fire brigade approach.' A recent clash between the rescheduled UTME and WAEC’s Agricultural Science paper on May 16 was cited as evidence of poor coordination between examination bodies.

Exclusion of Stakeholders

The association also accused JAMB of sidelining key stakeholders in decision-making. Despite ATSO’s offers to provide technical and strategic support based on their frontline experience, Sodunke lamented that their input has been largely ignored. 'Sustainable solutions require inclusive engagement with all education stakeholders,' he stressed.

Proposed Reforms for UTME Process

To address these challenges, ATSO proposed several reforms, including moving the UTME to July or August, commissioning independent IT experts for a full stress test of JAMB’s infrastructure, and designing systems around candidates’ practical needs. They also called for a standing committee with representatives from JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and ATSO to harmonize schedules and policies.

Other recommendations include prioritizing candidate welfare by addressing early arrival times at exam centers (as early as 6 am), which pose hardship and security risks, and institutionalizing an annual review of examination processes with stakeholder input.

Commitment to Collaboration

ATSO reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement, offering to share its annual review reports with JAMB and other exam bodies. Sodunke concluded by urging JAMB to embrace transparency and collaboration for the benefit of Nigerian students. 'The future of our students depends on it,' he said.