The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a reduction in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration fees for candidates living with disabilities. Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the registrar of JAMB, revealed that the registration fee for these candidates has been reduced from N5,000 to N3,500 to ensure equitable access to higher education in Nigeria.
This announcement came ahead of the first Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED), organized by JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG). The conference aims to address challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in accessing tertiary education.
Oloyede said that JAMB is dedicated to helping candidates with disabilities by implementing various strategies to promote inclusivity in education. One major step is the creation of special centres for PWDs who may struggle with standard Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centres, ensuring they are not at a disadvantage during exams.
Further support includes free application documents for candidates with disabilities who meet the requirement of having five O’ level credits in their Senior Secondary Certificate. In addition to this, JAMB offers transport subsidies, free accommodation, and special examination settings for visually impaired candidates and others who require unique examination conditions.
These initiatives are part of JAMB’s larger efforts to create equal opportunities for PWDs and improve access to higher education across Nigeria and Africa. At the upcoming ARCEAHED conference, representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, and other African countries will participate in discussions on enhancing the learning environment for PWDs in tertiary institutions.
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