…Schools to charge N2,500 for exercise

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

THE Federal Govern­ment and management of universities have reached a compromise on the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examina­tion also known as Post- UTME.

Two weeks ago, Educa­tion Minister, Mallam Adamu Adamu banned post-UTME in universi­ties. But, there is a com­promise on the matter.

The compromise, as contained in a memo which emanated from the Association of Vice- Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), agreed to peg a charge for post-UTME screening at N2,500.

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This new directive, however, runs contrary to the directive to univer­sities to stop the test and solely rely on the admis­sion list given to them by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The minister asked universities who conducted the exam to cancel and refund the students or face the wrath of government.

Meanwhile, Secretary- General of the associa­tion, Professor Michael Faborode said the agree­ment was reached after extensive deliberations among officials of the Ministry of Education led by the Permanent Secre­tary, Dr. Folashade Yemi- Esan, vice chancellors of federal universities, rec­tors of polytechnics and colleges of education in Abuja, yesterday.

Yesterday was a public holiday to mark the Eid-elFitri.

Faborode said officials of the ministry did not raise any objection to the decision of screen­ing by universities but only insisted it must not be Computer Based Test (CBT). He said the per­manent secretary gave approval for universities to advertise and warned that the maximum fee that should be charged for the screening should not exceed N2,500 inclu­sive of bank charges.

The permanent secre­tary promised to formal­ly convey the decision reached at the meeting to the minister for his endorsement.