Examination Malpractices in Nigeria: A Threat to Educational Integrity

 

The Nigerian education system faces numerous challenges, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, lack of qualified personnel, and outdated curricula. These issues are compounded by insufficient teacher welfare and ineffective oversight of public schools and examination bodies. As a result, the system struggles to meet one of its key objectives: to prepare students to face future challenges and contribute to national development. One of the most significant threats to the integrity of education in Nigeria is the rise of examination malpractices, a pervasive issue that undermines both academic credibility and societal progress.

The Prevalence of Examination Malpractice

Examination malpractice has become alarmingly widespread across Nigeria’s primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. Many students no longer perceive exams as a measure of individual merit and effort, but rather as a hurdle to be circumvented by any means necessary. This mindset has led to the normalization of unethical practices, where schools openly encourage students to register for exams with the promise of success through dubious means. The scale of malpractice is staggering, with reports indicating that up to 90% of students sitting for key exams like NECO and WAEC do not complete these assessments independently.

In some exam centers, answers are freely circulated, sometimes even written on blackboards or distributed through photocopies. Students and their families are often willing to pay exorbitant fees, well above the official exam costs, just to secure a passing grade. Such practices not only erode the value of education but also distort the merit-based system that should reward hard work and knowledge.

Defining Examination Malpractice

Examination malpractice refers to any form of dishonest behavior that compromises the integrity of an examination process. The term encompasses a wide range of offenses, including cheating, stealing exam papers, impersonation, forgery, and aiding or abetting others in fraudulent activities. The Nigerian government has taken steps to address this issue, notably with Decree 20 of 1984, which prescribed a severe punishment of up to 21 years imprisonment for offenders. Although this decree was revised in 1999 to include fines and reduced prison terms, enforcement has remained weak, allowing the practice to flourish.

Types of Examinations and Malpractice

Examinations in Nigeria can be classified into internal (such as continuous assessments and term or semester exams) and external (such as WAEC, NECO, and JAMB). Malpractice can occur at various stages of the examination process, including:

1. Pre-Examination Malpractice: This occurs before the exam and typically involves the leakage of exam papers. Employees of examination bodies, invigilators, and even teachers may sell or distribute exam questions to students or third parties. In many cases, the leaked papers are circulated widely, allowing multiple students to gain an unfair advantage.

2. During-Examination Malpractice: This is the most common form of malpractice and includes a variety of cheating methods:

o Impersonation: One student takes the exam on behalf of another.

o Inscription: Students write notes on their bodies, clothing, or personal items to use during the exam.

o Bringing unauthorized materials: This includes smuggling in textbooks, notes, or other aids.

o Consulting external materials: Some students leave the exam hall under the guise of taking a break but use the opportunity to access hidden materials.

o Use of technology: Mobile phones and other electronic devices are often used to share answers or receive help from outside the exam hall.

o Collusion: Students work together to share answers, often with the invigilators turning a blind eye.

3. Post-Examination Malpractice: This occurs after the exam and includes altering scores or rewriting papers. Some lecturers accept bribes or favors to change grades, particularly in higher institutions where students may collectively pool resources to influence their final results.

Causes of Examination Malpractice

Several factors contribute to the prevalence of examination malpractice in Nigeria:

• Fear of failure: Many students lack confidence in their abilities and resort to cheating as a way to avoid failure.

• Inadequate learning resources: Poor facilities and insufficient teaching tools leave students ill-prepared for exams, prompting them to seek alternative ways to succeed.

• Faulty admission processes: Mass promotion policies in primary and secondary schools, combined with the admission of unqualified students, exacerbate the problem.

• Low moral standards: Both public and private schools often neglect the moral education of students, allowing cheating to become a normalized behavior.

• Parental pressure: Some parents encourage their children to cheat in order to achieve higher grades or pursue prestigious courses.

• Overcrowded exam halls: Poor conditions, such as cramped seating arrangements, make it easier for students to engage in collusion and other forms of cheating.

• Emphasis on paper qualifications: The Nigerian job market places a disproportionate value on certificates, prompting students to prioritize passing exams over acquiring real knowledge.

Consequences of Examination Malpractice

The consequences of examination malpractice are far-reaching:

• Erosion of academic integrity: When students earn certificates through dishonest means, the value of education is diminished, and the entire system is brought into disrepute.

• Professional incompetence: Graduates who have not genuinely earned their qualifications are ill-equipped to perform in their professional fields, leading to inefficiency and potential harm in critical industries.

• Personal shame and failure: Students caught cheating face expulsion, a tarnished reputation, and the loss of years of effort with no credentials to show for it.

• Societal harm: Widespread malpractice undermines national development by producing a workforce that lacks the skills and knowledge necessary for technological and industrial advancement.

Solutions to Examination Malpractice

To address examination malpractice, several measures can be implemented:

• Adequate remuneration for exam officials: Ensuring that examiners and invigilators are well compensated can reduce the temptation to accept bribes.

• Improved security measures: Examination papers should be strictly monitored to prevent leaks, and electronic surveillance could be employed to deter cheating during exams.

• Better learning environments: Governments must invest in schools by providing adequate resources and ensuring that teachers are motivated and supported.

• Guidance and counseling: Schools should offer counseling services to help students develop effective study habits and understand the long-term benefits of academic integrity.

• Discontinuation of mass promotion: Students should be held accountable for their academic performance and required to repeat classes when necessary.

Conclusion

Examination malpractice is a deeply entrenched issue that threatens the credibility of the Nigerian education system. It is driven by a range of factors, from fear of failure and inadequate preparation to systemic failures in the education system. Addressing this problem requires a holistic approach, involving government, educators, parents, and students. By promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, and genuine learning, Nigeria can begin to restore trust in its educational institutions and ensure that future generations are equipped with the skills they need to succeed.

By: Emmanuel C. Okorie