The release of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results has sparked widespread concern, with revelations that a staggering 77% of candidates scored below 200 out of a total score of 400. While a few students garnered commendation for achieving scores above 300, the predominant trend of low scores has raised significant apprehension about the state of education in Nigeria.
According to Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), out of over 1.9 million candidates who sat for the examination across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, only 1,842,464 had their results released. Of these, 8,401 candidates scored 300 and above, while a notable 1,402,490 candidates fell below the 200 mark.
The implications of such widespread underperformance have sparked intense deliberations among stakeholders, including government officials, educators, parents, and examination bodies. Dr. Ifeanyi Onyike, Head of Department of Mass Communication at Dominican University Ibadan, attributed the decline in educational standards to systemic failures, citing the government’s inconsistent policies and regulatory weaknesses within JAMB.
Onyike criticized JAMB’s practice of lowering cut-off marks, which, he argued, facilitated the passage of academically weak students. He emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms across the education sector, including improved teacher recruitment, curriculum stability, and enhanced regulatory oversight.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Oludotun Sodunke, President of the Association of Tutorial and School Operators, highlighted economic challenges as a significant factor contributing to declining educational quality. Sodunke emphasized the importance of adequate preparation, access to resources, and security concerns in influencing student performance.
Mr. Yomi Otubela, Proprietor of Lagooz Schools, Lagos, underscored the need for improved examination preparation, access to quality resources, and enhanced infrastructure to mitigate challenges encountered during exams, such as technical glitches.
To address these systemic issues, experts have proposed various solutions, including examination-focused teaching methodologies, teacher training, and the implementation of effective regulatory measures. Dr. Bola Obe, Proprietor of Platform Schools, Lagos, emphasized the importance of past questions in teaching strategies, while Mrs. Dideolu Adekogbe, CEO of Florishgate Educational Consult, called for policy coherence and parental involvement.
Dr. Deji Akinola, Proprietor of Topdeal College, advocated for logistical adjustments by JAMB to accommodate students’ transportation challenges during exam schedules.
