Examination Malpractice: Who is to Blame? -By Waheeda Isah Muhammad

Exam malpractice has eaten deep into the educational system of Nigeria. As WAEC/NECO and JAMB approach, miracle centers are there; ready to help students cheat during the exams. Exam malpractice is an illegal conduct by a candidate of an examination with the intention of passing the examination.

Various forms of exam malpractice exist, starting from the ordinary, to the inter-mediate, and launching into some of the very complex and systematic types. The ordinary type include copying verbatim topics assumed to be part of the exams on palms of the hand, on thighs, on handkerchief, piece of paper, etc. Other methods include the use of bluetooth devices, electronic toys, electronic calculators, positioning techniques and sign language for objectives.

All said and done above, one begins to imagine whose fault is it for this continued proliferation and support for exam-malpractice? Hence, mostly it comes from those who have been made custodians of all forms of examinations. These are the teachers whose job it is to impart knowledge into the students but end up assisting the students to commit malpractices in exams . This is with the sole aim of hiding the obnoxious laxity on the part of the teachers for not delivering as at when due. The only way these teachers hide their incompetence is through exam malpractice. As if that is not enough, proprietors of such schools are conjoined in this criminal act by establishing WAEC MIRACLE CENTRES.

More so, parents could as well be blamed when students engage in examination malpractice. This is because, they are responsible for the moral life of their children.

Government is also not left out in this act, as they do little in inspection and supervision of schools. There are stories of ‘ paid for good grades ‘ to invigilators and supervisors during WAEC and NECO exams. Government is aware of this evil act, but has shunned from taking actions. This indeed, is painful and disheartening.

Educational managers; Government, Proprietors, Directors, NUT, among others, ought to function decisively and eliminate all forms of ' _exam malpractices_ ' at various levels. Government in particular, should increase the salary of teachers, she should create a way of motivating them through incentives and payment of salaries on time. This will help in curtailing the menace of _'exam malpractice_ ' in our dear country.

Parents should also note that children receive their first training at home. If candidates of exams are helped in exam malpractice , then the effect multiplies negetively. Some of the smaller effects include, but not limited to; expulsion in tertiary institutions, high tendency of unemployment, shame, wrath of the GOD for corruption, among others.

Students on their part, should focus on their studies. They should do their best and leave the rest to GOD. They should know that there is life after exams. It is better to fail honourably than to pass through malpractice and cheating.