From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi; Okey Sampson, Umuahia; George Onyejiuwa, Owerri; Tony John, Port Harcourt; Ighomuaye Lucky; Benin; Abel Leonard, Lafia and Femi Folarin, Bayelsa
The results of the just released 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), indicated that the students performed very poorly, the worst in recent times.
A total of 1,989,668 sat for the 2024 UTME, comprising 982,393 males and 1,007,275 females. Out of the 400 points, only 8.401 (0.5%) scored 300 and above; 77,070 (4.2%) had 250 and above; 439,974 (24%) made 200 and above, while 1,402,490 (76%) scored less than200. Stirred by widespread concern, some stakeholders adduced reasons for such abysmal performance and also offered suggestions on the remedy.
Most students are not exposed to computer – Paul Ugah, author; Benue
The reason for the poor performance is this computer based test that was introduced. Most people are not used to the operations of the system because they are not exposed to it like the manual writing method that we were used. Secondly, the poor reading attitude of students is a factor. To remedy this, schools should have their own computer centres within the school where they can expose the students to computer operations early enough to prepare them for the exams ahead. The parents and schools management should wake up by inculcating reading culture in the children and students alike.
Students should very early familiarise with computer operations – Joyce Isiaku, public servant; Benue
One of the reasons is that JAMB is now computer based. Some children are not tech savvy; so navigating that platform will be difficult for them. Again, under exam condition, most of them are tensed and might end up not answering their questions. Secondly a lot of students don’t prepare; nowadays, they don’t read. As a remedy, we should get the students early to familiarise with computer operations. The student must prepare well for the examination. This will prevent the mass failure as just recorded.
System malfunction – Emmanuel Antswen, journalist; Benue
Some of the students were coming from the rural areas and were seeing computers for the first time. It will be difficult for them. Again some of the students after answering questions on a subject, before submitting, the computer logs them out. So they submitted half answers.
As a remedy, the students need to be computer literate. The federal government should ensure that all secondary school students, from SS1 to SS3 are computer savvy; JAMB should ensure that the network is working so that the students are not stressed with anxiety before and during the exams.
Students should give more time to their books – Greatman Miracle, UTME candidate; Rivers
This year’s UTME was disappointing. I was happy to be part of those reading for the examination, and I prepared for it. On that faithful day of the exam, what I saw or experienced beat my expectations, ranging from the faulty system and lack of steady power supply. These problems caused the system to malfunction. Before I knew what was happening, my time was up. That caused me a lot, as I scored below average.
Government should make adequate provision for JAMB in areas of power supply, functional system and more so, they should train and teach people on how to use the computer system. On the part of the students, they should give more time to their books instead of always being with there phones.
Faulty system – Bestman James Ossai, UTME candidate; Rivers
JAMB’s preparation for the exam was nothing to write home about; it wasn’t encouraging. The mass failure was recorded because most of the systems used during the exam were faulty.
The solution is for the government to take responsibility by providing better systems during the next exams in order to avoid other candidates going through this same problem again. There should be computer tutorials before next year’s UTME exam because lack of it contributed to the mass failure.
Students’ gradually losing faith in education – Foster Amadin, ex SUG president; Edo
The abysmal performance in the 2024 UTME could be attributed to several factors. One of the potential reasons is that students are gradually losing faith in the educational sector because there are lots of graduates without jobs; even their elder ones, who are graduates, are at home doing nothing. This tends to diminish their motivation and drive. Education is gradually becoming an investment in frustration especially in Nigeria.
To remedy this situation, there is the need for concerted efforts in creating employment opportunities especially on basis of merit, access to educational resources.
Secondly, there should be a review of the curriculum to ensure it is aligned with the demands of the modern world; focusing not only on memorising, but also on developing analytical thinking, creativity, and practical skills. JAMB questions over the years are the same today, tomorrow and forever. Public, statutory and recognised reward for excellence will motivate students to adequately prepare for their examinations.
Most students depend on acclaimed “miracle centres” for high scores – Bassey Bassey, journalist; Edo
The recent poor performance of students who sat for the UTME was due to lack of adequate preparation for the exam.
Besides, most of the students depended on acclaimed “Miracle Centres” for high scores. More so, most of the tutors are not professionals enough to impart knowledge on the students to pass the exam. Recent data shows that most students now depend on Google for their performances on any exam and when they are deprived of using phones and other electronics devices to derive their answers to questions, it will certainly lead to poor performances in exams. Many parents don’t monitor their children’s educational prowess. It is not by sending them to the most expensive school or paying the highest fees that would guarantee their high performances, but constant monitoring and supervising their studies can always result to quality and good performances in exams.
Students interests are now entertainment, fun – Ipogah Michael, public affairs analyst; Edo
The interests of majority of the students are entertainment, fun etc. Because of that, they have no time to focus on their studies unlike in our days that we have to dedicate our time to studies. The other aspect is that students want to make it big overnight, chasing after money instead of focusing on their academics. I will advise that students should cut down on the time they spend on the internet and other amusement so that they can concentrate on their studies. Parents too can also help the students by ensuring that they monitor their academic progress in schools.
Male students are into Yahoo – Justus Nwafor, businessman; Imo
Most of the male students are not interested in academics; they are into Yahoo and are on the fast lane. They want to make money. Also, the young ladies are chasing the Yahoo boys who are their mates. The mass failure recorded in this year’s UTME result is fallout of what I have said earlier that, the problem may not be the teachers. Also, take note that since the introduction of Computer Based Test (CTB) JAMB examinations, only those serious students have been making it because there are no longer “mercenaries”, who write exams for students.
It’s an indication of our falling standard of education – Chris Nworgu, realtor; Imo
The poor results recorded this year, for me is an indication of our falling standards in the education sector. I learnt that the questions set by JAMB were not in the curriculum. So, we should ask why JAMB set questions that were not part of the curriculum. Whose fault then? We have to standardise our educational system as it is done in other advanced societies.
It’s a reflection of our educational system – Chinyeaka Philip, construction engineer; Imo
The poor result recorded in this year’s JAMB examinations is a reflection that all is not well with our educational system. This encompasses the recruitment of qualified teachers, teaching methodology and all.
It is terrible that 1.8 million sat for an examination and only about 400, 000 students were able to score 200 and above. I think the Federal Ministry of Education needs to investigate what is the problem.
Students believe in cutting corners to have their ways – Chidiebere Enyiazu, public servant; Abia
The reason for the abysmal performance by students in this year’s (UTME) is not be farfetched. The truth remains that students of these days no longer care to read, they believe in cutting corners to have their ways.
It’s like JAMB this year plugged all loopholes for exam malpractices and the resultant effect manifested in this year’s UTME abysmal failure.
Candidates from rural areas are not computer literate – Amarachi Israel, PR consultant; Abia
The introduction of computer-based UTME has made many of the students not to measure up because many of them, especially those from the rural areas are not computer literate as to allow seamless usage of the computers during the exam. In addition to the above, it is a known fact that students nowadays depend on exam malpractice and when the opportunity does not present itself, you have abysmal result.
Lack of adequate preparation – Ugo Kalu, trader; Abia
Many of the students are now more interested in pressing their phones than reading their books in order to pass any exam with ease. The cause of the mass failure, simply put, has its root from lack of adequate preparation. I equally heard JAMB raised the standard of her questions this year and that may have been the major reason for the abysmal performance.
Excess use of social media – Dr Olasunkanmi Musibau Adekunle, medical professional; Nasarawa
The poor performance could be attributed to a variety of factors, including excess use of social media, which has diverted students’ attention from their studies. There is the urgent need for both the government and parents to reevaluate existing strategies and prioritise educational reforms.
Furthermore, concerns were raised regarding the effectiveness of the new examination measures implemented by JAMB, with reports indicating that many students encountered difficulties navigating the system.
Decline of academic standards – Charles Ohakah, telecom engineer; Nasarawa
The performance is the worst in recent memory. It is frustrating, an apparent decline in academic standards.
Government should declare state of emergency in education – Bishop Nwankwo, civil servant; Nasarawa
It reflects the deteriorating state of the nation’s academic system. The government should declare a state of emergency in education. There should also be concerted efforts to revitalise foundational learning, starting from the household level.
Despite JAMB’s denial of the severity of the situation, parents and educators alike should see the need for immediate action to address the underlying issues plaguing the educational sector.
Failure of parents to monitor their wards – Otiogha Erowo, medical staff; Bayelsa
The poor performance is as a result of lack of adequate preparation and the failure of parents to encourage their wards. The educational system should be revamped to reflect the current realities where studies can be made more interesting. Parents too, should be more dedicated to monitor their children educational capacity.
Failure to follow JAMB syllabus – Esumai Ambros, civil servant; Bayelsa
The major reason is the failure to follow JAMB syllabus. Its syllabus has been a veritable tool in the hand of students seeking admission into higher institutions. Research has shown that 90 percent of those that excel in JAMB are those who study the syllabus comprehensively.
I strongly recommend all candidates to have a look at the syllabus for every subject they registered. Pay attention to the subjects you entered and let syllabus guide your studies. This way, a student will spend no time reading things that are irrelevant to the examination.
Another cause also is poor study habit. The word ‘student’ was derived from the word ‘study’.
A student may follow the brochure and strictly adhere to the registration processes of JAMB, but the truth remains that academic excellence solely depends on serious study of your text books and other recommended books in the syllabus.
