I do not believe that the massive failure recorded by JAMB in this year’s UTME is primarily because of social media or TikTok. It may be one among several key factors.

This examination is now computer-based. How many secondary schools across the country have the right IT infrastructure to teach students how to use a desktop computer or laptop? How many can type using a standard keyboard or navigate a computer?

There were also issues around epileptic power supply and network fluctuations at different centres.

I strongly believe that if this exam were written in a paper-and-pencil format, we could have seen a much better pass rate. Were these students taught about managing the pressure of a countdown timer displayed on the system as they answered the questions?

While I agree that our education system needs serious investment, I do not believe the students should bear all the blame in this case. That would be unfair.

Stakeholders in the education sector should invest in computer literacy and pressure management training for our young ones.