Painting a gory picture of the disaster that has befallen the sector, he said there are schools where two, three different classes are accommodated in one classroom. With each set of pupils facing different sides of the room, Salim wondered how they could learn.

He also lamented today's university graduates, many of who are not as good as Standard Six graduates of old. He said although today's graduates can read and write, most do not understand what they are reading or writing.

On the move being made by the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to conduct aptitude test for candidates who have passed the board's Universities Matriculation Examination (UME), the Registrar said, "as the law stands, you cannot subject any candidate to any test beside JAMB's."

Since JAMB's role is to control and conduct admission in collaboration with university authorities, the Registrar said, "if UNILAG insists on its decision and the candidates go to court, JAMB would be charged as a co - defender and JAMB does not want this."

He explained that JAMB reserves the legal right to conduct examinations and ensure justice and fair play in the admission process. UNILAG also reserves the authority to conduct interview for the candidates to determine their character and screen the documents submitted as requirement for admission.

"But to go outside these areas", Salim said, "UNILAG will be tampering with the laws that set up JAMB."

He added that it would amount to double jeopardy for candidates who passed the body's examinations to be subjected to aptitude tests or other forms of examination before they are admitted into UNILAG or any other tertiary institution.

On the desirability of national cut off points in the admission process, Salim said it serves as a guide for universities to determine the number of candidates to admit. He explained that JAMB does not fix the national cut off points.

Rather, they are jointly arrived at during the yearly separate meetings between the board and vice chancellors or heads of institutions, as well as the chairmen of admissions committees of the various institutions.

The scores for each year are considered and the national cut off determined.

The Registrar explained further that admission and cut - off points depend on the peculiarities of each university. Where a university does not have enough candidates seeking to read a particular course, it may be advised to lower its cut - off point to accommodate more candidates.

He blamed university authorities for not supplying all their admission requirements in good time for the board to include in its brochure, saying many institutions, which fail to include certain requirements, seek to do this while the examinations are in progress.

Salim also took a swipe at those calling for the scrapping of the examination body, describing them as disgruntled. According to him, "we cannot throw the baby away with the bath water." With 63 degree awarding institutions in the country, JAMB today is more relevant than it was before, as a coordinating organ to represent the interest of the admission seeker.

Apart from ensuring that candidates write only one examination as opposed to applying to different universities, JAMB, he said, is also a symbol of unity.

"Scrapping JAMB", therefore, "will dismantle the unity of the country as candidates will not go out of their areas", he submitted.

Source: AllAfrica.com