Parents and teachers alike have voiced dismay over the staggering 77% failure rate reported by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). JAMB revealed on Monday that out of the 1,842,464 candidates whose results were released, 77% scored below 200 out of 400.
However, amidst this revelation, concerns have been raised regarding the validity of these results, with some registered candidates being unable to even sit for the examination due to various challenges, including network glitches and a shortage of computer systems.
Bosede Agbede, a staff member of Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Imirin, Ondo State, recounted the ordeal faced by students at the Greater Tomorrow examination centre in Arigidi, Akoko area of the state. She highlighted that candidates beyond seat number 200 were denied the opportunity to write the exam due to insufficient computers and server issues.
Despite efforts to address these issues with exam supervisors, promises of rescheduling exams remained unfulfilled, leaving affected candidates in a state of distress and uncertainty.
Adeyemi Fayose, a parent, shared his disappointment as his daughter was unable to sit for the exam due to server errors. Despite assurances of a rescheduled exam, no action has been taken, leaving his daughter distraught and questioning the fairness of the process.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Mr. Okudalaye, who emphasized the lack of consideration for candidates unable to access the portal or write their exams, despite efforts to seek clarification from JAMB.
Following the release of the UTME results, which revealed the high failure rate, Nigerians expressed frustration and disappointment. While some attributed the poor performance to social media distractions and internet-related activities, others pointed to examination anxiety and inadequate preparation.
The challenges faced during the examination, including downpours and system glitches, further exacerbated the situation, leaving hundreds of candidates stranded and frustrated.