Low number of blind candidates for UTME worries JAMB

Only 22 blind candidates registered for the 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board  (JAMB), organisers of the examination, said on Monday. The board’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Timothy Oyedeji, on telephone in Lagos that the board was worried at the low number.


Oyedeji noted that 188 blind candidates registered for the examination in 2011.
“We are thinking that something must have gone wrong somewhere for us to record such a low number of blind candidates.


“But we have made provisions for about 200 Braille that would be needed at the various examination centres nationwide on March 24.
“This has been the practice over the years as we must give opportunities to the physically challenged who also seek access to tertiary education,” he said.


Oyedeji said that JAMB had already notified supervisors to ensure that all blind candidates were provided with the necessary writing materials and given prompt attention when necessary.
NAN reports that the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, recently announced the board’s approval of extra two hours for albinos during the examination.


Ojerinde said that the board had classified albinos as visually impaired, hence the additional examination time.
Ojerinde added that JAMB would consider providing albinos with magnifying lenses. (NAN)

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/03/low-number-of-blind-candidates-for-utme-worries-jamb/