By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Equal opportunity Group (JEOG) will hold its First Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED), on Tuesday, September 17, and Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Idris AbdulKadir Conference Hall, National Universities Commission (NUC), Maitama, Abuja
Speaking at the World Press Conference on the occasion in Abuja, the Registrar of JAMB Prof Ishaq Oloyede said, the conference aimed to enhance access to higher education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and improve the learning environment in tertiary institutions in Africa.
According to him, the regional conference is expected to attract participants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Egypt and other African countries
The African Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) is a significant event focused on promoting equity and access to higher education in Africa.
ARCEAHED is likely brings together stakeholders, experts, and policymakers to discuss strategies, share best practices, and address challenges related to equal access to higher education on the continent. The conference may explore topics such as:
- Inclusive education policies
- Scholarships and financial aid
- Diversity and representation
- Digital access and online learning
- Community engagement and outreach
Advancing Equal Opportunity Access to Higher Education:
A Call to Action
“Today, as we prepare for this very important conference, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for all, with particular emphasis on persons with disabilities (PWD)”.
“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through the Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), has been at the forefront of ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with a level playing field in accessing higher education. It is not enough to simply open doors of opportunity; we must ensure that these doors are accessible to everyone, irrespective of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities”, he said.
“As we mark the launch of the 1st Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED’24). It is our fervent belief that this conference will provide the platform to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions that will help bridge the gap in educational access for PWDs. We recognize that education is a fundamental human right, and as such, we are dedicated to making higher education more inclusive and accessible across Africa”.
“The theme of this year’s conference, “Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities in Educational and Economic Development,” speaks to the importance of harnessing the talents and contributions of PWDs in shaping the future of our society. Education is the cornerstone of personal empowerment, economic development, and national growth. When we invest in inclusive education, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future for all”.
“At JAMB, we have introduced several strategic initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity within the education sector. These initiatives include:
Specialised Testing Centres: Dedicated centres are provided for PWDs who cannot sit the UTME in the normal CBT centres to ensure they are not disadvantaged during examinations. The Board has reduced the registration fee for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination from N5,000 to N3,500 to ensure equitable access to tertiary education. To support candidates with disabilities with 5 O’ level credits in Senior Secondary Certificate, application documents are provided free of charge in addition to other fees (such as CBT centre fee). Furthermore, for visually impaired and other candidates with disabilities who require special examination settings, transport supplementation, free accommodation, and transit are provided during the examination process”, he noted.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board while appreciating the efforts of the Federal Government in introducing the student loan and also including PWDs in the scheme, stated that the policy would go a long way in assisting the Candidates with disabilities to pursue their education.
“We equally commend the National Assembly for device legislations particularly for the passage into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition ) Act. The Ministry of Education is commended for endorsing the policy on ‘Strategic Roadmap for Inclusive Access to Quality Higher Education in Nigeria’ by the National Council on Education. The policy incorporates certain waivers and incentives for candidates with disabilities”, he added.
