The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has announced that Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD) intending to sit for the 2024/2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) can register at no cost. The decision was revealed by JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, during the rollout of the registration process nationwide.
The free registration initiative aims to support PLWD and ensure their equal access to educational opportunities. Oloyede emphasized that JAMB would provide free application documents to all categories of Persons Living With Disabilities as part of this support.
“To support the PLWD, JAMB will issue free application documents to all categories of Persons Living with Disabilities in the advertisement for the 2024 UTME/DE,” stated Oloyede.
He also outlined additional measures put in place to facilitate a smooth registration process for all candidates. Notably, audio books will now be made available to blind candidates as a digital adaptation of traditional reading materials. These audiobooks will be provided in popular formats such as MP3, WMV, and WMA, compatible with various devices that can stream audio records.
Oloyede explained that the introduction of audiobooks was suggested during the first National Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education in Nigeria. In addition to blind candidates, other groups eligible for free registration include individuals with Down syndrome, Autism, Dyslexia disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
With the commencement of the 2024 matriculation examination registration on Monday, JAMB aims to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all candidates, ensuring equitable access to educational opportunities.