Menace Of Examination Malpractices Across The World: Nigeria As A Case Study

 Examination malpractices have become a pervasive issue globally, undermining the integrity of educational systems and threatening the validity of academic credentials. Nigeria, like many other countries, has struggled with this problem, which has far-reaching consequences for students, educators, and society as a whole. What is the meaning of examination malpractices? Examination malpractices succinctly refer to any unauthorized or dishonest behaviour exhibited by students, teachers, or administrators, during or before an examination, aimed at gaining an unfair advantage or compromising the assessment process. Some examples of examination malpractices include cheating, leaking of examination question papers (This is called"expo" in the Nigerian parlance.), impersonation, and bribing the examination invigilators or supervisors. 

What are the causes of examination malpractices? Several factors contribute to examination malpractices. They are:

1. Pressure to succeed at all cost:

The emphasis on academic achievements and the high stakes associated with examination results can drive students to engage into malpractices. The irony of examination malpractices in Nigeria is that parents who should have taught their children morals, values, honesty, and hard work in order to come out with flying colours, shamelessly turn around to encourage children to engage in malpractices. Here in Nigeria, influential and wealthy parents, including other middle class parents register their children in what they call "Special Centres" to enable them pass all subjects with distinctions. It means that in the "Special Centres", the examination question papers will be available for a couple of days before the examination day. It also implies that the examination questions will be thoroughly answered by hired academicians and kept for the candidates in those centres. On the examination day, the question papers are first given to all candidates as usual. After some minutes, the answers are given to them one by one since their affluent parents have paid for it. In this setting, invigilators help the candidates to answer all their questions corrrectly and pass the examinations with flying colours. Those candidates who know the subjects very well may avoid copying the "expo" answers verbatim to avoid suspicion. Rather, they may begin to use their own words and presentations differently from others. By so doing, no examiner marking the manuscripts of such intelligent student can ever know that he/ she saw the question papers ahead of time. Candidates in the "Special Centres" are not in a haste. They are not under any examination pressure or stress. They are always sure of passing their examinations with very high grades!

 2. Lack of adequate preparation:

 Students who are not adequately prepared for examinations may resort to malpractices to compensate for their lack of knowledge to face the examinations. When a student is addicted to excessive screen time, substance abuse, partying lifestyle, alcoholism, and other social vices, he/ she would not be able to make adequate preparation for any examination!

3. Poor invigilation:

Inadequate invigilation, supervision, and monitoring during examinations can create opportunities for cheating.

4. Corruption:

Bribery and other facets of corruption can compromise the integrity of the examination process. In many cases, candidates go into the examination halls with money in their pockets. When the invigilator catches any candidate cheating during the examination, the candidate quickly puts his/ her hand in the pocket to bring out money to bribe the examiner. Some candidates hold the money openly awaiting the anticipated invigilation collaborators to come for it. 

What are the impact of examination malpractices on child's academic develpment? Examination malpractices can have severe consequences for students' academic develpment, including:

1. Lack of confidence:

Students who engage in examination malpractices may not develop skills and knowledge required for success in their chosen careers. 

2. Poor academic foundation:

Malpractices can undermine the validity of academic credentials, making it difficult for students to build a strong foundation for future academic pursuits. 

3. Moral decay:

Engaging in examination malpractices can erode students' moral values and promote a culture of dishonesty. 

Nigeria has experienced numerous cases of examination malpractices, including:

 1. Mass cheating in public examinations:

Nigeria has been grappling with this 'monster' called examination malpractices right from the late 1970s. The more successive regimes tried to mitigate it, the more it grew with a geometric progression. From that time till today, the prevalence of examination malpractices has not been curbed down. In 2018, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the apex secondary school certificate examination governing body, cancelled the results of several, several thousands of candidates in Nigeria due to widespread cheating. Cheating in examinations also involves using unauthorized materials or assistance during an examination . This includes:

(a) Using crib notes:

Candidates write notes on small pieces of papers, palms (as seen in the picture above), thighs, or other materials and use them during the examinations. Some candidates come into the examination halls with complete text books to copy from them. 

(b) Copying from others:

Candidates copy answers from other fellow candidates or other sources without fearing the invigilators. 

2. Leakage of examination question papers:

In 2020, the National Examination Council (NECO) reported cases of examination questions leakage in several States of Nigeria, leading to the withholding of innumerable results across the country.

3. Stealing or leaking of examination question papers:

This involves unauthorized access to or distribution of examination questions before the examination date. There are cases where the examination question papers are in the possession of candidates for weeks before the examination. 

 4. Impersonation:

This involves impersonating another person to take an examination for another person for payment or otherwise, or falsely representing himself as a registered candidate. 

5. Forgery of result slips or certificates:

This involves altering or creating fake documents to deceive others about a student's academic performance. 

6. Disturbances at examination centres:

This involves causing disruptions, distractions, or confusions during an examination, such as noise-making, fighting, or using electronic devices to distract others.

7. Obstruction of invigilators or supervisors;

This involves interfering with the work of examination officials, such as preventing them from properly supervising the examination or using disturbing materials.

8. Breach of duty: 

This includes failing to perform duties or performing them negligently, such as:

(a) Altering scores: It means changing a student's scores without authorization after receiving something like money from him/ her.

(b) Unauthorized disclosure of examination information:

This means revealing confidential examination information to an unauthorized individuals. Candidly speaking, I once travelled in a vehicle with a National Youths Service Corp's member who was serving in northern Nigeria, he told me that they were compelled to reveal all the examination question papers to the students of one school before the examination day. They even helped to solve the questions for them. Yet, they could not pass the examination, even with average grades. 

9. Conspiracy, aiding, and abetting:

This involves collaborating with others to commit examination malpractices or assisting others in cheating. For example, the candidates may invite one person or persons to solve the questions after receiving the question papers from the invigilators. So, immediately giving out the question papers to all candidates, one candidate will throw his/ her own outside through the window so that someone outside will pick it. After solving the questions, they will secretly bring the answers and share out to all candidates who paid for it. 

These examples demonstrate the various ways examination malpractices can manifest in Nigeria, highlighting the need for strict measures to prevent and address these issues. The strategies for abating examination malpractices include:

1. Improved invigilation:

Ensuring adequate supervision and monitor during examinations can help prevent cheating.

2. Use of technology:

Implementing technology-based solutions, such as biometrics authentication and digital examination platforms, can enhance the security of the examination process.

3. Promoting academic integrity:

Educating students about the importance of academic honesty and the consequences of malpractices can help foster a culture of integrity.

4. Strengthening examination security:

Implementing robust security measures, such as secure storage of examination materials and thorough screening of students, can help prevent malpractices.

UNESCO, through its International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) has been involved in capacity-building to addressing examination malpractices in Africa, including Nigeria. Researchers and policymakers have studied the causes and effects of examination malpractices, developing strategies to address these issues head-on. The past and present Nigerian Governments have implemented sound policies to curb examination malpractices to the lowest ebb. One of such policies was cancelling examination results where malpractices were detected. Efforts have been made to reform the Nigerian educational systems, focusing on promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills, rather than mere rote learning. Elaborate public awareness campaigns have been launched to raise awareness about negative consequences of examination malpractices and promote a culture of integrity and honesty. Governments have implemented measures to secure examination process, such as using biometric authentication and secure storage of examination materials. These efforts aim to create a fair and transparent examination system, ensuring the credibility of academic credentials and promoting the develpment of competent and responsible citizens.

In conclusion, examination malpractices are a serious threat to the integrity of educational systems worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. By understanding the causes and consequences of examination malpractices and implementing effective strategies to prevent them, we can promote academic integrity and ensure that students receive a fair and valid assessment of their knowledge and skills. Ultimately, a culture of honesty and integrity is essential for the develpment of competent and responsible citizens who can contribute to the growth and prosperity of their nations. Examination malpractices must be addressed to ensure the future of our children and the world at large.

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