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JAMB: ‘Only 10 Candidates Can Use Computer In A Hall Of 250’
An invigilator at the just concluded Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, has taken to the social media to share what is a shocking revelation about the computer literacy level of the prospective higher institution students.
Since the introduction of the Computer Based Test (CBT) in 2013, there have been the challenges of students mastering the act of using the computer, which has led to various shortcomings after the examinations.
Eniolaoluwa, who was an invigilator, shared on her Twitter handle her experience during the weeklong examinations.
“Okay so I just finished invigilating JAMB exams and all I can say is we have a very big problem that we are not aware of.
“In a hall of about 250 JAMB candidates, only 10 can successfully use a computer system. The rest cannot just understand how the computer works; they are terrified at the sight of a mouse.
“They cannot left click, they cannot pick their answers using the mouse or the keyboard, they cannot scroll, they cannot delete when they make a mistake, and they cannot locate letters on the keyboard.
“And JAMB has tried cos the candidates have the opportunity of doing mock exams, the purpose of mock is to expose them to computers and let them know what to expect in the day of their exams.
“Before they start the exam, JAMB has provided a short video for them, the video shows them how their questions will look like, how to answer questions, how to use the mouse, etc but some of them will call you and insist their pictures and reg numbers are not on the videos. How?
“The front page of their rough sheets also has instructions on how to use the computer. You can successfully write JAMB exam without using the keyboard, there are letters you can use and it is explicitly stated on the front page of their rough sheets but no.
“They still don’t understand how to go about it. One of the candidates called me and told me he wanted to submit, I looked at the screen and realised he hasn’t answered any question; apparently he has been double clicking.
“On the letters of the options, n then it highlights and he thinks he has picked the answers. He hasn’t answered any questions and at that time they had just 10mins to go, now tell me, how does he want to pass the exam?
“Meanwhile on the rough sheet and in the video it is clearly stated, press A if the answer is option A, press B if the answer is option B, etc, press S to submit, press N for previous and so but these candidates cannot just do it.
“Some submit without answering any questions, a candidate left after answering about 40 questions out of 180. If the computer hibernates all they just need to do is shake the mouse some would raise it up in the air…please how? Some would start saying prayers in Yoruba!
“Some cannot type in their reg number, they don’t know how to. At the front page of their rough sheets, JAMB explained the use of nine keys, a candidate called me to tell me he has ticked the nine keys on the rough sheet. I was like what the?
“Most cannot construct a simple sentence in English, you will start hearing ‘Iaff submit’, ‘I aff write it’, ‘ezzz not press’. Some will turn it to pidgin ‘I no fit do am’. My Yoruba people will say ‘edakunkote’, ‘mi o ri se’. Guys, it is bad.
“That means students that go to private schools are in the minority cos at the end of the day over 1000 candidates did their jamb in my center and about 50 can use the computer well. The restNahhhh.
“I asked one of them and he told me they have the only abacus in their school, ABACUS!!!! Do some secondary schools use abacus??? He said he has never seen a computer in his life. Of cos, we had this conversation in Yoruba cos we were struggling with English.
“They cannot comprehend, cos, if you ask them to explain the instructions at the front page of their rough sheet they cannot that, means they don’t understand what is written there, how then do they want to follow instructions if they can’t comprehend.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.