JAMB Takes Action Against Officials for Barring Hijab-Wearing Candidate During UTME Exam
On Sunday, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) issued an important statement in which it said that some of its certified staff faced disciplinary action for preventing a female applicant from entering the examination venue while she was wearing a headscarf.
In a statement, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who serves as the Public Communication Advisor for the Joint Admissions and Movement Board (JAMB), stated that the board does not impose limits on applicants who wear religious apparel when they are taking tests.
Dr. Fabian Benjamin issued this statement in response to claims reported by various news agencies. These reports reported the occurrence under headings such as “Re: Lagos Center Stops Hijab-Wearing Candidates as UTME Commences.”
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) swiftly handled the matter, allowing the female applicant to take the UTME examination while wearing her hijab.
Due to the fact that ignorance of the regulations cannot be forgiven, the board stressed that the officials in issue acted out of ignorance, which is not acceptable.
According to Dr. Benjamin, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) does not prevent applicants from wearing religious objects that are associated with their beliefs. This is because these traditions are a part of everyday life in Nigeria.
The 2024 UTME examinations were anticipated to have been finished by almost 1.2 million applicants by the time Monday, April 22, rolled around.
Because it is a national institution, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recognizes the different cultural and religious landscapes of the country and supports the rights of applicants to display their religious connections during examinations.
During the testing process, the board strongly asked all officials to adhere to its principles and respect the applicants’ choices about their religious beliefs.
Assuring the public that it is still dedicated to ensuring that all applicants are treated in a fair and equal manner was another assurance that JAMB provided.
JAMB Takes Action Against Officials for Barring Hijab-Wearing Candidate During UTME Exam
