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In response to concerns regarding the safety of students required to arrive early for exams, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has justified its decision to uphold the 6:30 a.m. arrival time, asserting that it is essential for effective verification before the examinations commence.
JAMB clarified that although the examination is set to begin at 8:00 a.m., candidates need to show up by 6:30 a.m. to finalize verification and other clearance activities without delay.
The board's statement followed remarks from former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who had recently expressed worries about the safety hazards related to such an early arrival, questioning the rationale behind requiring students to be at the centers so early.
Obi highlighted the dangers of young students, especially those aged 15 to 17, needing to travel in the dark, condemning it as irresponsible and perilous given the current state of insecurity.
Obi stated, "I encountered multiple reports of students being summoned for public exams at 6:30 a.m., with teenagers, primarily aged 15-17, compelled to journey in the dark, even amidst insecurity, across risky and unfamiliar areas, simply to exercise their right to education and sit for JAMB exams. Scheduling exams for vulnerable teenagers as early as 6:00 a.m. while transporting them through distant locations is irresponsible."
Nonetheless, JAMB maintained that the early reporting time is vital to enable students to complete verifications and other pre-examination procedures leisurely, ensuring that exams commence punctually.
In its response to the former Anambra governor, JAMB stated, "Your Excellency, I must clarify that our examination is slated to begin at 8:00 a.m., not 6:00 a.m. While verification and clearance tasks begin at 6:30 a.m., it is crucial for candidates to have sufficient time to settle before the exam starts."
It added, "Considering the common tendency among Nigerians to arrive late when a start time is established without allowances for unexpected delays, this structured timeline is crucial for ensuring that all candidates are adequately prepared to perform at their best."
Concerns have been raised by Nigerians regarding the early reporting time, highlighting cases of teenagers being compelled to stay in hotels to adhere to the exam schedule and reports of disappearances while en route to the tests. On April 25th, a 17-year-old JAMB candidate, referred to only as Esther, was reported missing by her brother while traveling from Ajah to Epe for her examination.
Esther was eventually located in Ijebu after a thorough search; however, the incident caused her to miss the exam that might have led to her university admission.
This incident, along with others like it, has ignited a call from the public for students to be assigned to exam centers closer to home to mitigate the risks of kidnapping, accidents, and other safety concerns.
