EDUCATION: ASUU, ASUP Kick Over JAMB's Fixing of Varsity Cut-Off Mark At 150
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have faulted the recent decision by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Government to fix the admission cut-off mark at the Universities at 150.
According to ASUU, the benchmarks are illegal. JAMB cannot dictate entry age requirements and cut-off marks for tertiary institutions.
The Federal Government’s reaffirmation of 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions has received strong backing from key education stakeholders, including the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and others.
However, while they welcomed the policy to restore academic order, they also raised alarm over persistent systemic policy violations.
However, the announcement of a 150 minimum cut-off mark for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education has sparked widespread criticism, with many warning it could further erode standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
In an interview, ASUU president, Professor Chris Piwuna, expressed strong disapproval, calling the gathering “an illegal meeting” and warning that it undermines the authority of university senates.
“I am shocked that some Vice Chancellors, who are chairmen of their respective university senates, would attend such a meeting and, by doing so, subject their institutions to the authority of JAMB.
“This act differs from the principle of university autonomy and the core issues we are renegotiating with the federal government,” he said.
“Our Union has not taken an official position on the issue of minimum age for university entry. But let it be clear, it is not JAMB’s role to determine that. Each university senate is empowered by law to decide on admissions and other academic matters,” he added.
Also, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has opposed the new admission cut-off marks approved by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing them as a threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Reacting in an interview, the president of the Union, Comrade Shammah S. Kpanja said, “Honestly speaking, fixing the JAMB examination cut-off points to 150 for universities and 100 for polytechnics and colleges of education is counterproductive.
“As you know, JAMB’s total score is 400. By this standard, a candidate only needs 37.5% to gain admission into a university and just 25% to enter a polytechnic or college of education. Undoubtedly, this will contribute greatly to lowering academic standards,” he said.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, National President of COEASU, lauded the federal government’s stance on the 16-year age policy but raised deeper concerns about systemic violations that have made the rule ineffective over time.
“This is not a new policy. The issue is that it has been consistently violated due to noncompliance by institutions. But we’ve failed to address the root cause: when should children begin formal schooling?”
He pointed out that many private schools have eliminated primary six, allowing children to enter secondary school as early as Primary 3 or 4. This, he noted, results in underage students completing secondary education and seeking university admission well before the age of 16.
“The government just added a policy today, and the minister announced that the admission age is 16 years old. Yes, that is not a new statement. It is not something new. That has always been like that,” he said.
However, while COEASU agrees with the federal government on enforcing the age limit, the union strongly opposes the recently approved cut-off marks.
SOURCE: LEADERSHIP
