EFFECTS OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES ON EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

EFFECTS OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES ON EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN NIGERIA

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Education is the development of an individual through training, transmission of what is worthwhile to the point that he is able to fit into his environment and contribute to the best of his ability for the well being of the society. Our educational system uses examination to grade students in internal and external examinations in Nigeria. However, examinations are known to play very important roles in our educational system. They are used for academic stratification or for assigning grades to students in secondary schools and other institutions of learning. A students with a distinction all through in certificate examination will be regarded by those around him as academically precious. He is also likely to have a place in institution of higher learning or in job situation within the society than a child with a mere pass or a failure. All these conditions have combine to influence a student’s attitude to an examination malpractice. Olayinka (1993) defined examination malpractice as any misconduct or improper practice in any examination with a view to obtaining good results through fraudulent action. Daramola and Oluyeba (1992) define examination malpractice as an irregular behaviour exhibited by candidates or anybody charged with the conduct of examination in or outside the examination hall before, during or after such examinations. Shonekan (1996) sees it as irregularities which are premediated and perpetuated by the candidates or their agents with the intention of gaining undue advantages in the examination.  The problem of examination malpractices in Nigeria seems to be as old as the introduction of forma system of education (Afigbo, 1993). The first major incidence of examination malpractice was n 1914,m when the senior Cambridge local examination leaked. This scenario took an u7nprecedented surge in 1963 when two public examinations of 1967, 1977, 1981 and 1987 ;leaked. These leakages then attracted the attention of the federal government, which led to the promulgation of Decree 27 of 1973 and miscellaneous  decree 20 of 1984 to curb examination malpractices, and later decree prescribed 21 years jail term for offenders. These and other measured put in place still do not deter people from engaging in examination malpractice. In the WAEC conducted examination in 1991, 30, 982 students were involved in examination while 35,479 were reported in 1992. Thus, the number of offenders and related offences resulting in cancellation of results is quite disheartening. Investigations conducted by the national concord of Tuesday June, 1998 revealed how teachers help students to engage in examination malpractice, by coaching them before examination and the changing of incorrect answers afterwards. This trend according to the report is being used by the schools involved to improve their position in the performance tables, which have become a key indicator for parents choosing a school for their children. Examination malpractices renders certificates issued by examination bodies unreliable. The examination bodies lose finally, manpower in their bid to overcome examination malpractice. In view of the adverse effects that examination malpractices have on the educational system, it became necessary to critically examine it. At what stage do examination malpractice occur, what are their impact on the students themselves and on education standards?

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

In this research work an attempt will be made to find out such factors militating against the smooth conduct of West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) in senior secondary school in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. the focus is on this two examinations and candidates of this examinations often strive to be successful by whatever means. During these National Examination, candidates and their agents play various anomalies such as leakage of question papers, impersonation, copying and cheating and other form of examination malpractice. These practices have often been carefully designed and perpetrated by the students in collaboration with teachers, parents, and examination officials to the extent that they became canker-warm in the body of the Nigeria Education System. These tend to question the authenticity, reliability and validity of certificate issued by these National Examination bodies.   

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study include;

1.  To find out the causes of examination malpractice in the local government area.

2. To find out the various means by which students use to cheat during examination

3.To investigate the effect of examination malpractice to both the students and educational system in general

4. To profound possible solutions, which could be use to eradicate the problem of examination malpractice.

1.4 RESEARCHER QUESTIONS

These research questions below provide background to this study.

1.   What are the causes of examination malpractices in Apa Local Government Area?

2.   What are the methods used by students to cheat in examination in Apa Local Government Area?

3.  what are  the effect of examination malpractice to both the students and educational system in general?

4.  what are the  possible solutions, which could be use to eradicate the problem of examination malpractice?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study hopefully will be useful to students, teachers, parents, examination bodies and educational planners in Nigeria and Apa Local Government Area of Benue State in particular. The research will assist our educational planners to provide quality education. It will identify the causes and methods used by students to cheat during examination. It will put hold to cancellation of result. It will assist the examination bodies to curb all forms of examination malpractice, so that they can restore public confidence, acceptability and authenticity of certificates issued.

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