Association of VCs of Nigerian Varsities (AVCNU) dares FG; okays Post-UTME

According to a press release made available by Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) to our correspondent, the association resolved that Universities can continue with whatever procedure the Senate of each University prescribes on admissions.

The resolution signed by the Chairman of the Association, Prof. Adebiyi G. Daramola and the Secretary-General, Prof. Michael Faborode reads:

RESOLUTIONS AGREED UPON BY VICE-CHANCELLORS OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES ON THE ISSUE OF JAMB AND ADMISSIONS INTO NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES AT AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION HELD ON THURSDAY, 21^st JULY, 2016 IN ABUJA.

1.0   PRE-AMBULATORY CLAUSES

• Deeply concerned by the recent summary pronouncement of the Hon. Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, scrapping the conduct of Post-UTME test by Universities and its replacement by mere screening of candidates’ using only the UTME score, WASCE/SSCE results and some such other indices in the so -called “weighting parameters” touted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB);
• Deeply disturbed by the fact that JAMB was already sending “admission lists” to Universities, thus exposing the hidden intention of some operatives in JAMB to remain “admission merchants”;
• Having agreed out of respect to initially abide by the directive, believing that the matter would be re-visited after proper consultation with relevant stakeholders as was the case before the introduction of the Post-UTME policy over thirteen years ago;
• Having considered the monumental adverse effect which the directive and the actions taken by so far JAMB would have on the quality of university intakes and hence, their progress/academic attrition and output and the pervasive nature of examination malpractices that will be re-enacted and unleashed by the policy directive on admission; and
• Whereas, education is on the concurrent list, such that State and Private Universities ought not to be coerced into this arrangement, even if Federal Universities are portrayed as “helpless” and “voiceless” in pointing out the deleterious effects of this policy. In this regard too. we note that some Universities did what was right by using extant rules in their statutes to conduct their admission before JAMB’s new rules were pushed out.
• And cognizant of the fact that we had brought to the public domain our earlier deliberations of 27^th June, 2016, on the history of post UTME screening, implication of the directive on the autonomy of universities, the issue of quality control and assurance in admissions, methodology and cost of post UTME (copy attached), a position that has been resoundingly corroborated by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and some eminent Pro-Chancellors and concerned public commentators;
• Needless to add that the confusion which the “impasse” has created is responsible for the apparent delay in the 2016/2017 admission process, thus negatively affecting the calendar of universities (which is already badly distorted in many public universities);

2.0       Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Federal, State and Private Universities under the auspices of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), after an extensive and exhaustive deliberation on the issues of JAMB, and admission into Nigerian Universities, RESOLVED and SUBMIT as follows:

1. To strongly condemn the recent actions of JAMB which tried to undermine the university admission process by remitting “candidates’ admission lists” to Universities. We reiterate that “the role of JAMB stops at the conduct of the University Matriculations Examination (UME) and sending the full list of candidates who meet the National minimum score (of 180 for 2016/2017 and above) to Universities, without any tampering that resembles short listing”.
2. That the power of University Senate and its autonomy on all academic matters including admissions is sacrosanct and must be respected. “JAMB is only a pre-qualifying body for the conduct of University Matriculation Examination (UME) beyond which each university should own the process of admission as approved by its Senate”.

iii.      That “admissions for the 2016/2017 academic session should proceed in line with whatever procedure the senate of each University prescribes”. University Senates cannot outsource their admissions to any third party, least of all, JAMB. For the avoidance of doubt, “Universities are not under any obligation to wait for WAEC, SSCE and other such results for the purpose of admission” as JAMB was alleged to have directed.

1. That the policy which introduced post UTME as the 2^nd filter in the process of admission into Universities was an outcome of rigorous and painstaking discussions by all stakeholders. It will only be right and appropriate that any such policy reversal on an issue of that magnitude should also be so rigorously processed and backed with appropriate studies and data.

3.0   A delegation of the Association will meet with the Hon. Minister of Education at the Minister’s earliest convenience to further discuss the matter and our position.