A former Education Minister, Prof. Nora Obaji, has faulted the decision of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to peg cut off mark at 120.
He said the decision was harsh and unacceptable.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Obaji said the cut-off mark for the various sections of institutions of higher learning is rather appalling and would hinder the growth of educational sector.
He said, “It is not encouraging and I will dare say it is unacceptable.
“I mean, what are we really looking out for in this country, quality or quantity?
“If we, as a nation, are striving to improve on our developmental strides and be relevant among comity of nations, one thing we must learn to take seriously, then, should be our quality of education at all levels.
“Take for instance, our Colleges of Education, a place that is supposed to train and produce future teachers that will teach at our primary education level that should be the bedrock or foundation of learning, admitting people with 25 per cent obtained from an entrance examination.
“What quality are we anticipating to see from such teachers, and that is why I asked if what we need in this country is quantity rather than quality,” Obaji said.
The erstwhile minister added that for the country to move forward, it must insist on quality of students and graduates and be sure of their capabilities.
She said that there was nowhere in the world where 25 per cent was being considered as pass mark, as was set as requisite minimum qualification mark for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education by JAMB.
“I feel worried because it seemed the respective administrative heads of institutions present at that policy meeting could not say anything during such announcement to kick against the decision.
“I expected them to know better and speak out when such decision was reached, especially as we are in the era of democracy.
“Be that as it may, it is a good thing that individual institutions have been given the go ahead to conduct post-examination screening to select candidates of their choice.
“I therefore want to implore administrators of these institutions to ensure that only candidates that are credible are admitted during the screening.
“They should ease out those not qualified, irrespective of whose children they are, or where such children are coming from,” Obaji said.
Comments