EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES AS THREATS TO QUALITY ASSURANCE IN EDUCATION IN NIGERIA
EXAMINATION MALPRACTICES AS THREATS TO QUALITY ASSURANCE IN EDUCATION IN NIGERIA,
BY
OGUNDEPO, A. O. Background to the study. Examination is one of the ways through which students’ academic achievements are measured. It is a means of assessing students’ academic abilities with a view to taking decision on their progression on the academic ladder and determining their suitability for position of responsibilities (Ogundepo, Olatayo, and Akinteye 2009). A student would be adjudged to have achieved proficiency in certain skills after having passed examination set on courses on the skills or instructions to which he has been exposed. He will be issued a certificate stating his level of mastery of such subject(s). In Nigeria and most countries of the world, these certificates readily become meal ticket or a pass to move up academically. In view of the great importance attached to certificates, candidates who are desperate to succeed in life may engage in unwholesome acts to pass examination by all means and at all costs. (see Aliyu and Adeloye 1991, Adeosun, 2007, Lamidi and Adedibu, 2005.) These unwholesome acts aimed at achieving unmerited grades in examinations are known as examination malpractices. The issue of examination malpractices has generated serious discussion and concern in the educational sector than any other issue in Nigeria today. This is because, besides the increasing incidence of the scourge and the means of cheating in examinations, the calibers of people involved are causes for concern. It is not uncommon these days to find teachers, principals, staff of examination bodies, security agents and parents/ guardians involved in examination malpractices.(see Adeosun 2007,Alutu and Aluede 2006, Famiwole 1995, Fatai 2005, Jimoh 2009, Unachukwu and Onunkwo 1999.) The alarming rate and frequency of examination irregularities have become threats to quality control in our educational system so much that the certificates issued are almost
BY
OGUNDEPO, A. O. Background to the study. Examination is one of the ways through which students’ academic achievements are measured. It is a means of assessing students’ academic abilities with a view to taking decision on their progression on the academic ladder and determining their suitability for position of responsibilities (Ogundepo, Olatayo, and Akinteye 2009). A student would be adjudged to have achieved proficiency in certain skills after having passed examination set on courses on the skills or instructions to which he has been exposed. He will be issued a certificate stating his level of mastery of such subject(s). In Nigeria and most countries of the world, these certificates readily become meal ticket or a pass to move up academically. In view of the great importance attached to certificates, candidates who are desperate to succeed in life may engage in unwholesome acts to pass examination by all means and at all costs. (see Aliyu and Adeloye 1991, Adeosun, 2007, Lamidi and Adedibu, 2005.) These unwholesome acts aimed at achieving unmerited grades in examinations are known as examination malpractices. The issue of examination malpractices has generated serious discussion and concern in the educational sector than any other issue in Nigeria today. This is because, besides the increasing incidence of the scourge and the means of cheating in examinations, the calibers of people involved are causes for concern. It is not uncommon these days to find teachers, principals, staff of examination bodies, security agents and parents/ guardians involved in examination malpractices.(see Adeosun 2007,Alutu and Aluede 2006, Famiwole 1995, Fatai 2005, Jimoh 2009, Unachukwu and Onunkwo 1999.) The alarming rate and frequency of examination irregularities have become threats to quality control in our educational system so much that the certificates issued are almost
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