The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed a troubling trend in Nigeria’s education system in a interview from 9:38, where parents are being forced to pay exorbitant fees for services that should cost much less. Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, has brought this issue to the forefront, exposing the widespread exploitation of parents and students by secondary school operators.
Despite the government’s official charge of #3,500 for JAMB registration, many parents are being coerced into paying between 20,000 to 30,000 Naira. This stark discrepancy highlights the corruption and malpractice prevalent in the administration of secondary schools, which use JAMB registration as a means to inflate their own revenues at the expense of unsuspecting families.
According to Professor Oloyede, “Parents are paying 20,000 to 30,000 Naira for what the government charges #3,500.” This practice not only places an undue financial burden on parents but also undermines the integrity of the educational system. The additional fees are often justified by schools on the grounds of providing extra services or guaranteeing admission, but the reality is that it is a form of extortion.
“Secondary school operators keep creating issues,” Oloyede explained. “Some of these schools want to use JAMB to promote themselves and are involved in corrupt practices that damage the image of students. For example, one school registered candidates and messed up their schedule. When notices were sent to them, they hid the timetable from the students, causing them to mess up. This is the case of one Sonona Center. The school registered the candidates, but many of them ended up messing up because of poor scheduling.”
This malpractice not only exploits parents financially but also adversely affects students’ academic performance and prospects. By mishandling the registration and examination process, these schools jeopardise the future of their students, who are left to bear the consequences of these administrative failures.
“Who is being extorted and cheated if not you?” Oloyede asked, pointing out the unfair treatment of parents and students alike. The exploitation of parents through inflated registration fees must be addressed to restore fairness and integrity to the education system. The government’s intervention is crucial to ensure that all candidates have equal access to education without falling victim to such corrupt practices….Seë_Morë