There has been a growing concern on what the future holds for education in the country, following the performances of students at the just-concluded 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination. Our correspondents speak to some schools, whose pupils performed well in the examination. FRANK IKPEFAN, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE, VICTORIA AMADI report.
The widespread failure in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is a matter of great concern to everyone.
Since 2022, there has been a decline in the performances of pupils, who sat for the UTME. In 2023, 5,311 candidates, representing 0.3 per cent scored 300 and above; 56,649 candidates, representing 3.7 per cent scored 250 and above; 355,179 candidates, representing 23 per cent scored 200 and above. Also, 1,164,893 candidates, representing 77 per cent scored below 200.
In 2022, 5,833 candidates, representing 0.33 per cent scored 300 and above; 65,327 candidates (3.71 per cent) scored 250 and above; 385,757 candidates (22 per cent) scored 200 and above. About 1, 323, 631 candidates (78 per cent) scored below 200.
The board, through its Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, announced that over 1,989, 668 million candidates sat for the 2024 examination. Oloyede, who spoke at a news conference, said the examination body withheld results of about 64,624 candidates over possible violations. About 80,810 were absent during the scheduled dates of the examination. A total of 1,842,464 candidates had their results released.
Oloyede added that 8,401, representing 0.5 percent of candidates, scored 300 and above in the examination. Also, 77,070 representing 4.2 per cent, scored 250 and above. A total of 439,974 representing 24 per cent scored 200 and above. Also, 1, 402,490, representing 76 per cent, scored below 200.
In the midst of the declining performance, few schools have consistently shown resilience, dedication, and commitment, producing top-notch pupils who have done well in the UTME. Some of these schools are: Deeper Life High School (DLHS), Archdeacon Brown Education Centre, Day and Boarding, Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Hallel College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In separate interviews with The Nation, they explained how they prepared their pupils to sit for the examination.
Deeper Life High School: our zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice
Executive Secretary, Deeper Life High School (DLHS), Mrs. Thelma Malaka, said the school’s zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice continues to stand it in good stead. She said the school operates on four D’s: Decision, desire, determination and discipline.
She said: “Deeper Life High School is a faith-based institution that places God first in all things. Everyone in the system believes in God. We take prayer, hard work and discipline seriously. We don’t entertain examination malpractice. Our students must write examinations themselves. Anyone who asks for help in an examination is either told to repeat the class or leave the school.
“We are operating on four Ds: decision, desire, determination and discipline. For our students, success is a decision. We enrolled 870 students across our campuses nationwide, and the best so far, Adeyemi Godsgift Ibukunoluwa of our Warri campus in Delta State, scored 362. We are still expecting some results and I believe there will be more excellent performances.
“As a school, we told our pupils the benchmark is 380; while the least score should be 200. Thus, out of 870 candidates, only six had less than 200. No fewer than 175 scored above 300. Our children are well-groomed. They enter the examination hall confident because they have been well-taught and made to believe they don’t need any assistance in any examination.”
On whether the school can replicate this performance next year, Malaka said there is no stopping their pupils if they maintain the high standards they have already set.
“I don’t see why we should not repeat this excellent performance if we maintain the standard we already set. The average Nigerian child is highly intelligent. The problem is examination malpractice. Our children grow up thinking they need help to pass examinations. Students fail because of the culture of not doing things themselves. They don’t rely on themselves, hence, they fail. For us in Deeper Life High School, we don’t do that. With this, their minds are fresh because they are well-groomed to be self-reliant and confident. If other schools emulate us, they will equally perform excellently like us,” Malaka said.
Brown Education Centre: we give our pupils preparatory classes
To the Principal of Archdeacon Brown Education Centre, Day and Boarding, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Kerian Mmoh, the pupils made the school proud this year.
“They scored 300 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). We registered 42 candidates and 13 of them scored above 300. We are so proud and we have been celebrating them. The centre has a history of excellent performance in UTME, but this year’s was exceptional.
“Before the examination, we were afraid because some of them were not really strong, but with constant practice and continuous evaluation and assessment, we were able to take them up to speed. What we did differently was to give them preparatory classes, where mock exams were administered as a build-up to the exams, and that worked wonders for us. The candidates are not relaxing, they are preparing for their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), we are not relenting, we are still pushing to make them understand that without the WASSCE, they are going nowhere regardless of their UTME scores. We are encouraging them to double their efforts to also do well in WASSCE.
“Aside the verbal congratulatory messages for the candidates, we organised a reception for them and a few gift items were given to them. We are also preparing to give them cash award, but that would be during our valedictory service when they would be exiting school; there, we would celebrate them more.
“It is not enough to teach and give instructions to students, continuous assessment/evaluation is key. We will continue to do that just as we did for this present set. The ones coming behind should key into the secret, they should not relent, they should continue to work hard and study more for exams. They should start early, preparation is necessary because the syllabus is voluminous. They should start studying now as though they have no time, this will culminate in overall success for them in the long run,” Mmoh explained:
Hallel College: how 37 of our pupils score 300 and above
Hallel College Port Harcourt has once again raised the bar of academic excellence with its performance in the UTME. The school has consistently distinguished itself as a beacon of excellence in the education sector.
Hallel College Port Harcourt has earned widespread acclaim for its unwavering commitment to nurturing and shaping the character of its pupils, ensuring they shine brightly both before God and society. The school’s achievements have firmly established it as a formidable force in the realm of education.
The results of this year’s UTME serve as a testament to Hallel College’s dedication to academic excellence. Breaking its own record by a significant margin, the school witnessed an impressive performance with 37 of its students scoring 300 and above.
Leading the pack is Master Emarievbe Oghenemudiakevwe, whose exceptional score of 360 reflects the calibre of pupils produced by the college.
This feat is attributed to a combination of factors, including the school’s commitment to fostering a culture of academic achievement, the strategic deployment of students’ interests towards shared goals, the integration of cutting-edge technology in teaching and learning, a culture of discipline and hard work, and above all, a deliberate choice to place God at the centre of every endeavour.
The school expressed profound gratitude for the divine favour and guidance that have propelled them to such remarkable heights. They emphasised that their success serves as a testament to the grace and goodness of God, and they are humbled to be a vessel of praise.
