Parents of candidates who sat for the 2026 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday, pleaded with security officials to allow them buy snacks for their children during the extended examination period.
The JAMB had extended the examination time from the usual two hours to four hours, giving candidates ample opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment. This adjustment was aimed at testing new programmes introduced by the Board.
At the Rosa Mystical Academy, Kubwa, and Kings Comprehensive Secondary School, Saburi, Dei-dei, candidates had just finished the first session and were on break, awaiting the second session. The first session took place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by a 30-minute break, and then the second session ran from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
About 230 candidates were expected to write the examination at the centre, and three unverified candidates had been recaptured to prepare them for the main examination. Parents, however, were not allowed inside the school compound, and were left to sit at makeshift kiosks or stay in their cars while their children wrote the examination.
The turnout of students was good, processes were orderly, and the exercise went smoothly with no recorded hitches.
The JAMB's decision to extend the UTME examination time is a welcome development, but the Board must also consider the welfare of the candidates and their parents. The fact that parents were not allowed to buy snacks for their children during the examination period is a cause for concern. This highlights the need for the JAMB to provide adequate facilities for candidates, including food and water, during the examination period. The Board must also ensure that its policies are implemented in a way that does not cause undue hardship to candidates and their families.
