Exam malpractice, including cheating and question paper leaks, is a growing concern in many educational systems. This is particularly evident in Nigeria, where it’s seen as a serious problem impacting the integrity of assessments and undermining efforts to create a skilled workforce.
Causes of Examination Malpractice:
Societal Pressure and Competition:
High stakes and societal expectations to achieve academic success lead some students to resort to unethical means.
Inadequate Preparation:
Insufficient teaching resources, ineffective methods, and overcrowded classrooms can lead to limited knowledge and understanding, pushing students towards malpractice.
Weak Institutional Framework:
Lack of supervision, corruption, and inadequate penalties within institutions can facilitate malpractices.
Psychological Factors:
Fear of failure, lack of confidence, and anxiety can contribute to cheating in a bid to compensate for poor preparation.
Limited Infrastructure and Resources:
Poor school infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, and libraries, can hinder effective teaching and learning, potentially leading to examination misconduct.
Corruption:
Corruption within examination systems, including corrupt invigilators and school officials, can facilitate cheating.
Technological Advancements:
The rise of smartphones and internet access has enabled new and sophisticated ways of cheating, including the use of electronic devices and the leakage of exam questions online.
Parental and Community Pressure:
Parents’ focus on grades over skills and societal demands for good grades can contribute to students’ desperation to succeed academically, leading to malpractice.
Consequences of Examination Malpractice:
Erosion of Trust:
Malpractice undermines public trust in the education system and its fairness.
Compromised Academic Integrity:
It erodes the integrity of assessments and the value of degrees.
Undermined Skills and Competencies:
It hinders the development of a skilled workforce by allowing students to pass without truly acquiring knowledge and skills.
Moral Degradation:
It can lead to a decline in moral values and ethical behavior within educational institutions.
Addressing Examination Malpractice:
Strengthening Supervision and Invigilation:
Enhancing invigilation practices, including using technology for surveillance, can deter cheating.
Imposing Stronger Penalties:
Implementing stricter penalties for offenders can serve as a deterrent.
Focusing on Ethical Education:
Promoting value-based education and emphasizing moral ethics can cultivate a culture of academic honesty.
Improving Teaching and Learning:
Providing adequate teaching resources, effective teaching methods, and conducive learning environments can help students succeed through legitimate means.
