What Will Likely Happen To Jambites If Universities Remain Closed For A Long Period Of Time?

Alot of Jambites are skeptical about their admission to the university this year. Despite seeing the jamb result, there is no hope of resuming early due to coronavirus pandemic that has led to the closure of schools at all levels in nigeria. However, if schools remain closed for a long period of time, does that mean the admission will be cancelled? Or does that means Jambites have to rewrite the jamb examination next year? All these questions flooded the mind of jambites and prospective candidates. But looking back to history (2003) when schools were closed for a long period of time, for about six months, the admission process was later merged to accommodate two set of jambites (2002 & 2003 set). As universities remain closed due to coronavirus pandemic, I perceived that such a similar measure is likely to happen. This article thus contain my detailed analysis on this matter of discussion.

Let me quickly bring to your notice that this similar scenario that happened in the history of university admissions was what I personally experienced and I will share with you exactly what happened and how it was resolved as follows;








Picture Credit: everyeveryng


SIMILAR EVENT IN HISTORY

I was a jambite in 2002, myself and other candidates seeking admission into the university had written the jamb exam as at April that year. We got our results after about two weeks to four weeks as expected. However, while we were waiting for the admission list of the universities, something happened! The Universities were closed down for a long period of time. For what Reason? it was an ASUU strike.






Picture Credit: pulseng

Well, the ASUU of those days do not have a common ground with the government in power. ASUU had embarked on the strike due to the non-compliance of government with their previous agreement. The agreements actually revolved around poor university funding, disparities in salary and retirement age. Both the government and board of the ASUU are so dogged in their approach to matters arising. That was what led to one of the longest strike we ever experienced in those days. The universities were closed for about six months without any activity. Before we knew it another Jamb set had written examinations in 2003 while myself and other 2002 set were yet to resume for work. Later in June 2003, the strike was suspended and school resumed.

Moreover, due to the complex of situations, the jamb board and the universities had to agree on a kind of 'Admission Merging Strategy' to accommodate the 2002 and 2003 jambites. It was on a 60/40 percent. Although I could not recollect fully who got the highest percentage from the two set. But we resumed fully January of 2004, it was the first time we experienced a merging of such in the history of university admission. You can view picture below for comment from someone who experienced the situation;






Invariably, if universities remained closed for a long period of time, similar approach of 'Merging Admission' might be employed. But I pray we overcome the covid-19 pandemic as soon as possible so that our society and activities can resume back to normal. Recall that the federal government once addressed the public that schools at all levels remained closed until the pandemic is over. However, with the look of things, resumption is not near as the numbers of confirmed cases in nigeria is currently 4787 with 146 New cases confirmed as at 13th May 2020.

CHALLENGES UNIVERSITIES MIGHT FACE WITH ADMISSION AFTER RESUMPTION






If paraventure school couldn't resume until the Harmattan semester, it will be difficult for schools to admit new candidates, this is due to the following reasons;

(1) The present 100 level students have not completed the examination and the level. If they don't move to next level, another 100 level can not be admitted.

(2) Jamb will probably begins new exam registration by December, this might delay admission of the 2020 set as a merging process like the one I described above might be considered.

Nevertheless, there is no need to worry about the situation, this analysis is just based on assumptions and predictions. It is not necessarily going to happen this way. Yet, we all have roles to play, if we ever desire that our society becomes healthy and returns back to normal we must cooperate with the government to end coronavirus in our country. The use of face mask, washing hands regularly and social distancing must be our priority.

NOTE: This article is not emanating from education authority. The writer only intend to expose readers to likely event and effects of the closure of university for long period of time on jambites.