Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who represents Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire in the House of Representatives, has raised concerns regarding the dismal performance of students in this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Shockingly, over 1.4 million students, accounting for 76 percent of total applicants, failed to attain the minimum score of 200, a benchmark crucial for admission into most universities.
Expressing profound disappointment, the youthful lawmaker emphasized that the situation warrants collective attention from various stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, parents, and society at large. He stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s education system to address the root causes of this worrisome trend.
In a statement personally penned by the All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator and son of the late former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, he highlighted a disconcerting pattern dating back to 2016, where a significant percentage of students consistently performed below average in JAMB examinations. This persistent issue underscores a systemic failure within the education sector that demands immediate action.
Alao-Akala cautioned against simplistic explanations for the poor performance, urging a deeper examination of underlying factors. While acknowledging the influence of modern technology, he emphasized the need for a holistic approach to address the multifaceted challenges plaguing the education system.
He called for a substantial increase in government funding for education, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, accompanied by a revamped policy framework that aligns with current realities and sets achievable goals for improvement. This, he believes, is essential to charting a path towards meaningful reform and ensuring a brighter future for Nigerian students.
