No fewer than 367 blind candidates are expected to sit for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in centres across the country.
Already, these special candidates have been divided into two batches with the first set sitting for the UTME on Monday, while the second batch is scheduled to have their turn on Tuesday.
The Head, Media, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a telephone chat with our correspondent at the weekend.
Benjamin said that the examination mode for blind candidates for the 2018 UTME would be conducted by dictation, as it was done in the 2017 edition.
He said that the examination for the blind candidates would be conducted using the Braille Note Apex for the Computer-Based Test.
The JAMB spokesman added that measures had been put in place for these special candidates and their guides to make them comfortable throughout the duration of the examination.
He said, “The candidates will be taking this year’s examination through the dictation mode. This dictation will be carried out by the Equal Opportunity Group, under the supervision of Prof. Peter Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
“This group accommodates them, because every blind candidate comes with a guide. So, they take care of the candidates and their respective guides to ensure they are comfortable during their examination period.
“The board is mindful of the needs of the Nigerian child and, therefore, will stop at nothing in ensuring that everyone is carried along and given equal opportunity to succeed.’’
According to him, JAMB has concluded all arrangements for a hitch-free conduct of the examination nationwide.
He, however, advised the candidates to adhere strictly to the directives issued to them in connection with the conduct of the examination.
The JAMB spokesman enjoined the candidates to ensure they arrive early at their respective examination centres, warning that lateness, use of mobile phones, wrist watches, blue-tooth devices, smart lenses, microphones, ear pieces, smart rings, ink pen readers and other electronic devices, would not be tolerated.
