Not batting an eyelid, the Chairman of the Time-Table and Examination Committee (TIMTEC), Dr.Ikechukwu James on Wednesday reeled out a catalogue of logistic measures taken by the University towards making the ongoing examination a  success.

Speaking in an exclusive chat with FUNAAB Bulletin, Dr. James said  he was gladdened by the fact that the Management has improved on its special consideration for the less privileged students during the examination.

He disclosed that waivers like not allowing the less privileged to seat or line up at Step Down and Holding Centre, leading to the examinations halls , topped the list of special consideration accorded the physically challenged in the ongoing exam.

Dr. James informed that as usual, vehicles that the University specially and exclusively provided for the conveyance of the physically challenged were fully on ground.

He, however, called on the Management to grant a less privileged student,  who write slowly than usual, due to genetic defects more time to write his papers in the ongoing examination and subsequent ones.

According to him, “the Management is examination friendly to all, especially the less privileged. It has provided vehicles to take physically challenged students to the examinations venues.  It has given them special consideration too.

For instance, we didn’t allow them to stay in holding areas. Once they arrived exam venue, we take them directly to the examination hall where they are screened”, he added.

Speaking extensively on other pro-active measures, Dr. James articulated them expressly and eloquently.

According to him, “one of the things that we have done is to make sure that the exam is held in a conducive atmosphere. This includes provision of lighting system.  We make sure the air-conditioners are functional, furniture in good condition while we also improved the sanitary condition”.

He disclosed, “formerly we used to write exam in ten or eleven working days but now the exam has been spread to three weeks so as to reduce pressure on students and pressure of invigilation on invigilators”.

Dr. James further informed that “we make sure that staff who are invigilators are adequately informed by giving them roasters.  There is something we have done with respect to invigilation roaster which has never been done in the history of the University.

In time past, a Committee spent hours, days in trying to prepare roaster for invigilation, this time  around, a software prepared the roaster, we didn’t do it manually”, he added.

Chairman, TIMTEC, continued, “we also ensure that in an examination hall, there are male and female invigilators to screen and follow up students of the same sex.  We also consider morning and afternoon schedule.  We don’t want any invigilator to be permanent in any of the shift, be it morning or afternoon.  The essence is to put everybody on the same platform”.

Dr. James stressed, “we adequately communicated to students the rules and regulations governing the examination, in order to monitor and minimize exam malpractices while the Environmental Unit was engaged to ensure law and order”.