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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday accused the Federal Government of plans to destroy Nigeria’s education system.
ASUU was reacting to the 120/100 cut off mark released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for admission into Nigerian universities and polytechnics respectively.
In an interview with newsmen in Ibadan, Chairman ASUU, University of Ibadan, Dr Deji Omole said “it is sad that the present administration’s dream is to destroy education in Nigeria”
His words: “Where are those the JAMB registrar said entered universities illegally? which universities admitted them? If 30percent did not take JAMB and found their way into the university system is that not corruption and a message that JAMB is not significant anymore? What sanction did those who did the illegal thing receive other than regularization of illegality?
“We are watching because long before now we have said that JAMB has outlived its usefulness. Let the universities set their unique standards and those who are qualified can come in. 120/400 is 30percent. Even in those days 40percent was graded as Pass. But now JAMB said with F9 which is scoring 30percent you can be admitted. They deliberately want to destroy education.
“Even for polytechnic 100 marks is 25percent. It is sad. And that is where we are in Nigeria. They want to destroy public education at all cost. This is not setting standard for education in Nigeria. It is purely lowering standards and digging grave for the future. This is why ASUU is currently on the struggle to influence the government to do the needful for education in Nigeria.”
JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede while announcing the new cut-off marks after a policy meeting with Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, revealed that 30 percent of those in higher institutions do not take JAMB while some of them scored less than the cut-off marks.
He however explained that “the admission process is now automated with direct involvement of the registrar of JAMB for final approval. We have agreed to regularize admissions that were done under the table this year. From next year we will not accept anything like that.”
But Omole accused the JAMB registrar of presiding over illegality.
He said: “Where are those the JAMB registrar said entered universities illegally? which universities admitted them? If 30percent did not take JAMB and found their way into the university system is that not corruption and a message that JAMB is not significant anymore? What sanction did those who did the illegal thing receive other than regularization of illegality?”
According to Omole, rather than sanctioning the identified universities who admitted over 17,000 students illegally, the JAMB registrar simply regularised illegality and lowered cut-off marks to favour the interests of the friends of government who owns private universities and are hell bent on destroying public education.
While reiterating the call for the scrapping of JAMB for out-living its useful existence, Omole said students should apply directly to universities of their choice for admission.