The House of Representatives has advocated for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) results to be valid for at least three years.
The lower chamber of the National Assembly also called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to conduct its entry exams, at least, twice annually.
At the Wednesday’s plenary session of the House, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, who moved the motion, expressed concerns that JAMB examination results are only valid one year.
He argued that if candidates cannot secure admission into any tertiary institution of their choice in the academic year the exam was retaken, “the result is wasted no matter how good it is.”
According to the lawmaker, despite the incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which always affect academic calendars, JAMB still goes ahead to administer its examination annually without recourse to the effects of lecturers’ industrial action on the students.
He said the backlog of candidates waiting for admissions into the limited vacancies in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, and its attendant pressure on the education system and parents, was worrisome.
Arguing further, the lawmaker said the development had put parents in “double jeopardy” as they are forced to enroll their wards yearly for the examination.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Minister of Education to put mechanisms in place to ensure that the resolutions are executed.
