At the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB)Headquarters, Bwari, Abuja, the issue of Henry Okocha was taken up with the Public Relations Department. There, it was revealed that Remedial Programmes are pre-Degree or pre-National Diploma and National Certificate in education courses taken by students who are deficient in their minimum entry qualifications for a degree programme.

It was revealed further that "This programme cuts across all courses and departments in the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. They are designed to correct deficiencies in candidates' results and not a ticket to secure admission directly"

In reply to a question, it was revealed that: "Beneficiaries of these programmes, therefore exploit this measure to avoid matriculation examinations, which are statutorily the criterion for admission into higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.

According to the third and fourth quarterly publication of JAMB, it was revealed that "by law, the entry qualifications for any candidate seeking admissions for degree programmes, National Diploma or National Certificate of Education (NCE)is that such student must have either passed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC)examination or the National Examinations Council (NECO)with at least five credits at one or two sittings. This must include credit pass in English Language and Mathematics.

It was also seen in the publication that in line with this, the Federal Government, in its wisdom, decided to give every Nigerian citizen aspiring to further his/her education equal opportunity through a level playing field either through the Universities Matriculation Examination (UME)or Monotechnics, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Matriculation Examination (MPCE). Suffice it to say that this has been an existing policy but JAMB has decided to implement it from this year, 2008.

As for the decision of the Federal Government on this issue, it was revealed, "the decision of the government is commendable as indigent candidates would compete favorably with their counterparts from the higher class or more privileged group, through a common examination for acquisition of higher education, a right of all Nigerian children. With this, admission of candidates into the institutions would be on merit and other criteria approved by the Federal Government."

Apart from providing equal opportunity for candidates, the policy would help to streamline admission into the Nation's Tertiary Institutions by taking into consideration, the carrying capacity of each institution, ensure uniform standards in the conduct of matriculation examination and the placement of suitably qualified candidates in the limited spaces available in the institutions.

Replying to another question, it was said: "a uniform examination conducted by JAMB would address the problem of multiple admissions and equally check back-door admission, which remedial programmes are promoting.

"Equally, JAMB, as an examination and admission body, will ensure that the issue of Federal Character is properly handled in admission processes."

"No matter the perceived shortcomings and opinion of the critics of JAMB, it is pertinent to note that JAMB plays a critical role in harmonising admission in the nation's tertiary institutions through uniform standard in its operation and placement of suitably qualified candidates.

In reply to another question, it was revealed, "the issue of quality and standard education must not be compromised. JAMB does not act unilaterally; the decision to de-regularise was arrived at, at a consultative policy meeting consisting of stakeholders in the sector. The Board is just implementing the policy in line with its statutory responsibilities.

According to the quarterly publication, JAMB strives hard to be a world class examination body, courtesy of the on-going re-engineering and repositioning, it requires the support and cooperation of all stakeholders to realise this feat. The Board would not rest on its oars but would continue to strive to improve on its services to the nation.

This enquirer should please study the above information about remedial programmes according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and also try to understand what it takes, the dos and don'ts.

The ball is, therefore, in your courts, the decision is yours.