Date: 2017-04-09

Applicants of the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation examination (UTME) in Ilorin, Kwara State have denied knowledge of the new policy of '8 keys, no mouse' for the Joint Admission Matriculation Board examination (JAMB) this year.

Speaking to National Pilot, a 17-year-old applicant, Ayeni Omowunmi said she is not aware of the new policy.

She said "I am not aware, haven't heard of it before, In fact, I am just hearing it for the first time from you (reporter), maybe because I don't listen to news."

Another applicant at the Jaiz Bank, Ilorin who simply identified himself as Yinus retorted, "So, you mean we are not using mouse for this year's JAMB, I am not aware yet, but I really preferred the mouse".

Amos Akinloye and Taofeek Abdulquadir, both applicants also claimed ignorance of the new policy, though expressing optimism that it will be easier examination method.

Suliyat Adisa, who was at the bank to obtain form for her sibling said "My sister is the one taking the exam and I don't think she's aware of the policy, even me too, I don't know they won't be using mouse.

However, Oluwatomisin Akande, an applicant who was seen registering at Zenith Bank, confirmed that many of prospective candidates were ignorant of the new policy.

In her words: "Many applicants are not aware of the 8 keys, no mouse policy. In fact, I have been the one telling most of my friends and other applicants about it because they don’t listen to news or read newspapers."

Recall that the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) in order to deal with the challenge of low level computer literacy of some prospective candidates, especially with the phobia for the mouse, has disclosed that it will adopt an "eight-key device" for the 2017 UTME.

The Board has designed a system that will allow candidates use only eight (8) keys without the use of the mouse. All the candidates need to do is to press the letters A,B,C,D for responses (answers) to questions and keys P, N, S and R representing different functions as follows:

P = Previous question

N = Next question

S = Submit responses when candidate has finished examination

R = Reverse (do not intend to go further to submit again).

Meanwhile, applicants have continue to decry strenuous registration process owing to network problems in banks and registration centres.

Our reporter who visited banks and registration centres in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday, observed large number of frustrated applicants waiting to register. A cross section of applicants who spoke to this medium, attributed the problem to network problem.

Reacting to this, a Zenith Bank Official, who identified himself as Temitope Taiwo confirmed the network problem of the financial institution. Taiwo said "Yes the network has been really bad for the past two hours now, so we asked them (applicants) to wait.

He however advised JAMB to improve on the system if the same process is going to be adopted next year.

All efforts to contact the state Coordinator of the board proved abortive as calls and text message put across to his phones were not returned. In a related development, the mock exam of the 2017 Joint Admission Matriculation Board will start on Saturday.

According to the board, the exam which is a new development is in a bid to prepare the prospective applicants ahead of the year's exam. The exam, which is optional for students will be carried out in the 11 centres designated for the state.

"Applicants who wish to take the exams and completed his/her registration is eligible to sit for the mock exam where their centre is," the board said.