NANS Condemns JAMB Over Cut-off Marks

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Thursday carpeted the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) and heads of tertiary schools for downward review of cut-off marks for admission into universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions.
Making known the position of NANS on the downward review of cut-off marks that have attracted condemnation from Nigerians, the president of the student body, Mr Chinonso Obasi, said in a statement released in Abuja, said that such downward review of cut-off marks would encourage indolence among admission-seeking candidates.
JAMB and heads of tertiary institutions in Nigeria had met on August 22, 2017 and reviewed downward the cut-off marks for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Minimum cut-off marks for admissions into universities was fixed at 120; polytechnics and colleges of education pegged at 100, while that of innovative enterprising institutes at 110.
Describing knowledge acquisition was a function of determination and hard work, the statement said, “If over the years, students were able to work hard to meet cut off points, it does not make any logical sense to now lower the standard.
“The inability of any student to meet the cut-off points is a function of outright indolence that should not be encouraged.
“The general impression is that Nigerian graduates are not employable; therefore, lowering of standard will translate to a disastrous outcome in the future by churning out young people who cannot fit into the demands and expectations of the 21st century.
“Nigerian youths are intelligent and willing to learn but because of the enabling environment provided by tertiary institutions abroad, Nigerian students who attend school abroad always break records.”