FOLLOWING the mind-boggling examination malpractice uncovered in the conduct of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu says the Federal Government would spare no effort to confront syndicates involved in examination malpractice in the country.

Adamu also directed all examination bodies to ensure the clean-up and sanitation of their registration process just like the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

“Sadly, the youths that should be the hope of the future of the country are deeply involved in the canker. I wish to restate clearly that the Federal Ministry of Education will assist JAMB to ensure that the syndicate in the examination industry is frontally confronted in the overall interest of the country,” the Minister stated this in Abuja at the weekend while opening the refurbished headquarters of JAMB which reportedly cost about N45million.

“I hereby direct that all public examination bodies ensure the clean-up and sanitation of their registration process just like JAMB,” he added.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Abdulrasheed Abubakar, the Minister said the recent ‘painstaking effort’ of the board at scrutinizing the process of  UTME and its relationship with intent, plans and execution of examination was not a misplaced one.

The outcome of the exercise, he said, had revealed that there was a lot of rot in the education system, which he added, was unfortunate, as it was practised mostly by the youths whom he said, are the country’s hope.

He also stated that the Federal Ministry of Education was in full support of JAMB’s efforts, noting that the government was impressed with the way the Board had been prudent in expending its resources and getting value for same, while also calling on the staff and community to use the facilities efficiently.

Adamu commended the management of JAMB for ensuring service delivery to the public.

“This has continued to be the flagship of the education sector in terms of transparent and honest service delivery,” he said

“There is no doubt about it that the motto of the Board which is Service and Integrity had long visualised the current leadership of the organisation.”

Adamu noted that President Muhammad Buhari’s second term would be an opportunity to consolidate on the gains recorded in the first term, while also improving in areas that average results had been recorded.

“I, therefore, congratulate Dr. Emmanuel Ndukwue, the Chairman of the Governing Board and his team for a wonderful job.”

The ICIR reported that a total of 15,145 results of candidates who were found to have identical data were withheld by the board when it announced the release of the result of 2019 UTME while 59,667 candidates were absent from the examination.