Poor network and power failure were among the challenges some candidates for the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) experienced in parts of Rivers State, yesterday.
Some of the students (candidates) disclosed that unstable network, in particular, delayed the commencement of the examination and affected the stopping time.
One of the candidates, who simply gave his name as Godson, said his centre was at Maranntha and Associate, Elelenwo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
He disclosed that, though he was able to attempt all the questions, the system (laptop) he used delayed his stay in the examination hall.
According to him, there was also the problem of thumb-printing caused by ineffective network and poor coordination.
It was also the same unfavourable story at the Churchill Universal Basic School UTME centre, according to one of the candidates, Charles Michael.
He said: “My examination was 9:30am. But, we didn’t enter early because those for the 6:30am examination did not finish early. We started very late. Some people’s laptops worked but very slowly. Some, their own systems were not stable. And they did not write. They were confused. But, I thank God for seeing me through.”
Meanwhile, JAMB is already taking steps to ensure seamless Conduct of the examination. Candidates who were phased with technical hitches have been instructed to reprint new registration slip and have their exams rescheduled, plans to reschedule the examination for those yet to see changes in their slip are into consideration.
However, many of the candidates scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2013, who could not write due system failure, were still waiting for JAMB to open the portal to reprint their rescheduled centres.
Earlier on, yesterday, some of the candidates for Tuesday, May 25 examination, at State School II, Elele, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, said they received a text message from JAMB that the portal would be opened at 6pm.
At the time (6:40pm) of filing this report, some of the candidates said they were at business centres and there was no new information concerning a rescheduled date for the examination.