The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to host its first Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Abuja on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The conference, organized by JAMB’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), will bring together participants from various African countries, including Ethiopia, Malawi, and Egypt.
With the theme “Advancing Equal Opportunity Access to Higher Education: A Call to Action,” the event aims to discuss and find solutions to improve access to higher education for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The conference will be held at the Idris Abdulkadir Conference Hall at the National Universities Commission.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, speaking ahead of the event, highlighted the importance of ensuring that all individuals, including those with disabilities, have equal access to higher education. He stressed that the conference would help address critical challenges and offer innovative ways to make education more inclusive across Africa.
“The goal is not just to open the doors to education but to make sure that these doors are accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities,” said Oloyede.
The conference will focus on how to improve the learning environment in African tertiary institutions to better accommodate PWDs and ensure that they are not left behind in the pursuit of quality education. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss various strategies to promote inclusivity in education, ensuring that education is a right available to all.
Oloyede also reiterated JAMB’s commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for PWDs. He noted that JAMB has already introduced several initiatives aimed at supporting these individuals. For instance, special provisions have been made for students with disabilities, such as providing dedicated centres where they can sit for exams under special conditions, away from the standard Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
JAMB has also reduced the registration fee for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from N5,000 to N3,500 to make education more affordable for everyone. Furthermore, visually impaired students and others who require special exam settings are offered free transportation, accommodation, and other necessary support during the exam process.
JAMB also provides assistive tools, such as braille machines and screen readers, to help visually impaired students during their studies and exams. Additionally, teacher training programs are in place to help educators understand the diverse needs of students with disabilities and use inclusive teaching methods.
Oloyede praised the Federal Government for implementing policies that support education for PWDs, such as the introduction of a student loan scheme that includes individuals with disabilities. He also thanked the National Assembly for passing the “Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act,” which protects the rights of PWDs.
The Ministry of Education was also commended for endorsing the “Strategic Roadmap for Inclusive Access to Quality Higher Education in Nigeria,” which includes incentives for candidates with disabilities.
The conference is expected to shine a light on important issues related to education access for PWDs, both at the national and global levels. Oloyede called on all stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, private sector actors, and civil society, to work together to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of quality education.
“Education is not a privilege for a few but a right that should be safeguarded for all,” Oloyede said, urging everyone to build a more inclusive and equitable educational system.
