Stopping JAMB’s CBT to PPT is 100% backwards

Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr.

I have followed the unfortunate story of students and parents protesting that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board conducted one of the worst university entrance examinations this year.

I have also watched in amazement as JAMB has worked tirelessly to defend its reputation, labelling those who are protesting as being angry that they were unable to cheat at the last examination, which was why they took to the streets in protest.

Quite frankly, I do not want to get involved in the argument as to who is right or who is wrong. My major concern at this moment is the fact that the House of Representatives has ordered JAMB to revert to the paper-based test that it had been using in years past.

So the question is; should we simply run away from computer-based-tests that many parts of the world have already embraced, or should we take a critical look at the problems surrounding these and other examinations with a view to proffering solutions that will deal with the challenges of computer-based tests?

How in the world will the members of the House of Representatives want to cancel computer-based-tests?

In his response to this directive, the JAMB registrar said, “The board is ready to go back to paper-based tests once the Minister and Ministry of Education issue a directive to that effect as they have the final say.”

He concluded with these words, “….But, we will be going backwards.” I quite agree with the professor even though I think he and his team could have done a much better job.

In any case, do members of the House of Representative realise that some Nigerians are actually running Diploma, First Degree, Masters and even PhD courses online right in Nigeria and they are receiving lectures via the internet and also taking part in computer-based-tests and examinations virtually?

Why must we ridicule ourselves in the comity of nations? It saddens me to hear that we do not have the capacity of using technology to conduct examinations for less than five million people.

What we keep shying away from is making the right investments and yet, wanting the best outcome. Why would you run a computer-based-test in a school environment where there is no steady power supply? Okay. I know this is no more new. However, it would have been much smarter to even provide alternative power supply, i.e. solar energy, in all centres so that the examination would not be disrupted in anyway like the students claimed happened to them.

Here are some possible recommendations to make CBT Work in Nigeria, given our current circumstances:

1. Invest in actual CBT centres/hubs

We can actual kill two birds with one stone in the sense that we can develop structures that will serve as CBT centres and technology hubs at the same time. I will recommend a public-private partnership model so as to make them sustainable.

It will be case of having standard CBT centres that will serve a number of useful purposes – not just converting schools without electricity like we are doing now. This may also lead to the possibility of conducting such important examinations in batches, say quarterly across different zones.

For those who have fears that the answers will be shared across zones, they can be rest assured that if JAMB provides more than enough questions; then, some lines of code will take care of the rest. It is mind boggling what can be achieved with technology.

2. Extend a hand of partnership to technology giants

Look around you. Almost all the top technology giants already have offices in Nigeria; Google, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, Oracle and many others. There are even equally good local brands like Zinox, Omatek etc. Get some or all of these partners to a roundtable and strike some sort of deal.

I recall the presentation by the Regional Vice President of Intel for MEA, Cigdem Ertem, who visited the country recently. She stated that her company, in collaboration with other partners, were working hard to rapidly increase the number of personal computers available to Nigerians. This is in view of the fact that, without proper education there will be no meaningful and sustainable development.

She stated that in today’s global economy, access to information, critical thinking, entrepreneurial skills and a strong foundation in Math and Science, are imperative, if we are to prepare tomorrow’s workforce to meet the skill demand of the knowledge economy.

“Education is the single most powerful tool we have for unlocking new economic avenues to building a foundation for a brighter future. Technology plays an increasingly critical role in enabling and supporting that educational effort, linking millions around the world to skills they need and the opportunities to put them to use,” she added.

This statement actually does say it all. We should not toy with the future of young Nigerians. They have got to be prepared for a fiercely competitive future and the foundation is a good education.

So, what are the most critical facilities expected in a standard CBT centre? It won’t be far from competent personnel, physical infrastructure, power supply (regular and alternative), computers, servers, (physical, cloud or hybrid), internet connection, and a few other things. All these can be discussed and agreed with partners but we must show some seriousness in terms of trying to enact good policies and seeing that we follow through until the very end.

As a friend, Gbenga Sesan, and I once concluded during a conversation on technology and the internet; blame the people and not the technology. Nigeria, National Assembly, and JAMB need wake up because the world has long left the tea party.

Computer-based-tests, (done right), is the way to go. Period!

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