Ojerinde, in this interview withADELANI ADEPEGBA sheds light on
controversies surrounding university admissions in the country
What informed the Computer-Based Test?
We believed it's one of the ways we can reduce examination
malpractices. The global trend now is the use of technology and we
felt we should not be left behind in Nigeria. On the other hand, the
issue of problems being encountered by the candidates in terms of
missing results, malpractices and things like that will be eliminated
totally. These are some of the reasons and in any case, we think also
that it would improve the technological know-how of our kids in this
country.
Did the board take into account the literacy level in the country
before adopting the CBT?
Our design is such that if you can use a mobile handset, you can do
our exams; you can do the CBT if you can read ABCD. When the answers
come up for you, and you know that the answer is A or B or C or D, you
punch and that is it. You don't even need to use the mouse except you
know how to use it. If you don't know how to use it, you don't need
to. The cursor goes up to your right then, to your left, that is all
and we give them maximum of 15 minutes orientation and before you know
it, they are coping. So, that is our experience so far and it's been
very wonderful.
What are the measures and arrangements you have in place to make the
CBT succeed?
Last year, we had 55 centres all over the country but now, we have
about 159. That is about three times what we had last year which is a
very wonderful development. The tertiary institutions that we didn't
use last year have now come up; even private establishments,
institutions and individuals have established computer-based test
centres. We had about 300 applicants, willing centres, but when we
screened them, we discovered that we could use only about 159 for this
country. I think we are lucky that a lot of people are now anxious
about the use of CBT and we discovered that last year, they performed
relatively better. There were no examination malpractices or missing
results; no hues and cries. So, I think we should continue. On our
part, we have constructed about 10 centres, at least in nine offices
outside Bwari. In our own centre in Bwari here, we can take about 250
candidates. In other offices across the country like in Jigawa, Niger,
Kwara, Oyo, Ekiti, Delta, Abia, Taraba and Benue, those places can
take about 120 candidates each and we hope with time, we will be able
to expand our horizon to other parts of the country. But our centre in
Abuja here can take 250 candidates at a go and that is our plan for
other places too, if God helps us.
With the epileptic supply, how is the board addressing the issue of
power supply at CBT centres?
When I said 300 establishments applied (for the CBT centres), they did
not all qualify because they didn't have back-up electricity like
inverters or generators. In fact, we have told them we will consider
generators rather than public power supply because it can fail us. But
if they have inverters that can last for the next 20-30 minutes before
they change to generators, so be it. If you don't have all these
facilities, we won't accredit you. And that is what has led to a sharp
reduction from over 300 applicants to 159 acceptable applicants.
So, what would happen to candidates in the rural areas who have no
access to computers?
Well, I have said it, if you can use a handset, then you should be
able to do our exams. It has been designed. I think seeing is
believing, when we are conducting exams, just come along or go to a
rural place where the examination is taking place and see the reaction
of these young kids in the various centres. It is not a sophisticated
design; it's a very simple one. Of course, in future, there will be
what we call multimedia approach. In terms of the things in place, do
you know that prison inmates are now ready to take our CBT? We have
about 150 or so in Kaduna prisons and another 25 or so in Ikoyi,
Lagos. We are going to give them opportunity to take the exams using
the computer-based approach.
PUNCH
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