Girl Scored 278 in UTME, Chose Education — And Everyone Lost Their Minds
Girl Scored 278 in UTME, Chose Education — And Everyone Lost Their Minds
TEC News|
In a country where academic brilliance is often measured by one’s ambition to study Medicine, Law, or Engineering, one young Nigerian’s decision to pursue a career in teaching has sparked reflection and renewed debate about the value placed on education and educators.
With an impressive 278 score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the expectation was clear — study Medicine or another “prestigious” course. But this candidate made a bold choice: Education.
“Why would someone so intelligent waste a score like that on Education?”
“You should be studying Medicine.”
“You deserve better.”
These were the reactions that flooded in. But the student had a different perspective:
“Education is not a waste. I didn’t deserve ‘better.’ I deserved my DREAM. And my dream was to TEACH — to build minds and change lives.”
Despite societal prejudice that treats choosing Education as synonymous with failure, this student persevered — and excelled.
“First semester, 12 courses: 11 A’s, 1 B.”
The exceptional performance didn’t go unnoticed. The Head of the Department of Physics offered a departmental transfer and even promised a future job after M.Sc. But the student declined.
“I said NO. Not because the offer wasn’t tempting — but because I knew myself. I wasn’t called to chase titles. I was born to build futures.”
Ironically, while Nigeria struggles with concerns over “half-baked teachers,” the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has recently set the 2025 UTME cut-off score for Colleges of Education at 100.
This development raises serious questions about the system’s priorities:
“Let that sink in. Not average. Not 150. Not 140. ONE HUNDRED.”
“And we’re out here screaming about half-baked teachers? How won’t they be half-baked when we admit students with 100 marks to train nation-builders?”
This story is not just one of personal conviction; it is a wake-up call. If Nigeria truly wants to improve its educational outcomes, it must start by valuing educators and raising the standards for those who will shape the future.
