AT last, examination malpractice that seemed an intractable problem afflicting the conduct of public examinations over the years can now be effectively checked. Thanks to the introduction of Biometric Capturing System (BCS) being used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a combination of Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and Monotechnics, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Matriculation Examination (MPCEME).

The exponent of this innovation is Professor Dibu Ojerinde, Nigeria’s first professor of Tests and Measurement, first Director of Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Primary Education Commission (NPEC), first Registrar of the National Board of Educational Measurement (NBEM), first Registrar of Nigeria’s indigenous examination body, National Examination Council (NECO) and currently the Registrar/Chief Executive, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Under his leadership, JAMB has devised means to checkmate impersonation, absenteeism, lateness and examination malpractice among candidates through Biometrics fingerprints capturing. Professor Ojerinde spoke with Vanguard Education Editor, Emmanuel Edukugho in this interview.

What is this Biometric registration all about as some candidates are complaining already?

Students will complain about something that is new. They should go to people who have expertise on the equipment – just about thumb printing. Just thumb print and data captured. We are using Biometric Capturing System for registration of candidates for the 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

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http://www.alutacampus.com/forum/11-exam-time/337-thumbs-up-for-biometrics-a-way-of-curbing-exam-malpractice--ojerinde