THE EVIL EFFECTS OF EXAM MALPRACTICE



Introduction
Since 1977 when the first exam malpractice was discovered in WAEC, exam malpractice has assumed the most innovative method unimaginable! The advance in mobile phone technology like: i-pad, android, palm top, blackberry, organizer, etc have made the perpetration of this vice easy. The resultant effect id that exam malpractice has had downward effect of socio-economic development and further contributes to increasing social vices and malaise of corruption, certificate forgery, low productivity, half-baked graduate, etc as seen in our social today.

Understanding Exam Malpractice
Examination is widely believed as the most convenient, cheap, reliable and consistent means of measuring the level of intelligence of pupils/students. However, the issue of malpractice that is associating with it has been a cause of concern. In other words, examination is the believed to be the true test of knowledge or ability as it is said long ago.
The value and functionality of any educational system lies in its ability to actualize the goals of education. Till date, examinations still remain the necessary tool for an objective assessment and evaluation of what learners have achieved after a period of schooling.
Understanding Exam Malpractice
The incidences of examination malpractice have become so widespread that there is virtually no examination anywhere at all levels and outside the formal school system without any form of shoddy practice or the other. Examination malpractices are common everywhere and every examination season witnesses the emergence of new and ingenious ways of cheating.

Of late the springing up ‘miracle centres’ (Tutorial centres), special centres, special registration and others norms have further lured many unserious students, even the unsuspecting ones and their parents into the nefarious acts of engaging in exam malpractice.

The Exam Malpractice Act
The Examination Malpractice Act (1999) explains examination malpractice as any act of omission or commission by a person who in anticipation of, before, during or after any examination fraudulently secure any unfair advantage for himself or any other person in such a manner that contravenes the rules and regulations to the extent of undermining the validity, reliability, authenticity of the examination and ultimately the integrity of the certificate issued.
Though examination malpractice is neither a recent phenomenon nor peculiar to Nigeria or Africa, the alarming rate of increase in examination malpractice in secondary schools in Nigeria calls for concern from all stakeholders in the education sector.
According to available statistics, it is estimated that, Nigeria loses more than 1 billion naira yearly to exam malpractice.

Exam Malpractice Statistics
A total of 39,066 results were withheld in WASSCE Nov/Dec 2011
47,289 results were also withheld in WASSCE May/June 2012
Another 42,289 results of candidates were withheld in WASSCE Nov/Dec 2012
8, 223 candidates engaged in exam malpractice in 2012.
What is Exam Malpractice?
Examination Malpractice is any irregular behavior exhibited by a candidate or anybody charged with the conduct of examination before, during or after the examination that contravenes the rules and regulations governing the conduct of such examination.
The latest development in communication devices like mobile phones and other communication devices like palm top, organizer, i-pad, android, blackberry, etc have further made the perpetration of exam malpractice more easy for the perpetrators as prepared answers are sent via SMS to the candidates, prepared answers are stuffed on the organizer prior to the exam for ‘operational total paralysis’.
Common Names for Exam Malpractice
Exam malpractice is called by different names. Below are some of the common names:
Expo
Orijo
Egun
Micro-chips
Chips
Exhibit
Common Names for Exam Malpractice
Gadget
ECOMOG or pari ise
Tatan
Machinery (Mercenary)
Artillery (bringing in key points and other materials to the exam hall)
Impersonation
Cheating
Punishment for the Crime
Examination Malpractice Act No. 33 of 1999 stipulates a minimum punishment of fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00) and a maximum of five years imprisonment, without option of fine, for violators of the offences stipulated in the Act. The offences are: cheating in the examination, stealing of question papers, impersonation, disturbances at examination, obstruction of supervision, forgery of result slip, breach of duty, conspiracy and aiding etc.
Methods used in Exam Malpractice
Tearing of question paper or answer booklet during examination
Refusing to submit worked script to supervisors after examination
Receiving help from supervisors, invigilators, teachers or others during examination
‘Giraffing’ in examination hall
Using handset to dictate answers to objective questions
Writing answers on body for the purpose of copying during examination
Unauthorized movement in examination hall.
Methods of Exam Malpractice
Bringing foreign materials into examination hall
Impersonation
Leakage / foreknowledge of questions
Insult and assault on inspectors, supervisors and invigilators
Stealing, converting or misappropriating the scripts of another candidate
Bringing foreign materials like notebooks, textbooks, handset, calculator and others into examination hall
Night vigil
Who are responsible for exam malpractice?
•       Teachers
•       Parents
•       Invigilators
•       Supervisors
•       The School
•       Students
Why do students engage in exam malpractice?
•       Inability to read, study and prepare for exam on time
•       Failure to cover the syllabus
•       Poor education facilities like: library,  laboratory, etc
•       Ineffective teaching techniques
•       Peer Influence
•       The society is certificate-crazy

Why students engage in malpractice

Peer influence
Late preparation
Lack of proper counseling at home and in school
Corrupt tendencies and poor upbringing
Immaturity
Poor awareness and enlightenment programme
Complicity
Lack of the fear of God
What are the Effects of Exam Malpractice?
Your certificate will be treated with suspicion
Condemnation of one’s conscience
Professional inefficiency
Shame and embarrassment to one’s family
Imprisonment
Cancellation of result
Expulsion
Half-baked or unbaked graduates/school leavers
Effects of Exam Malpractice
 If the social vice of exam malpractice is not nipped in the bud, this generation of Nigerian graduates will end up producing ‘doctors’ who will forget scissors and towel in the stomach after surgical operation as long as malpractices are prevailing.
It will also produce ‘Students with Alphas’ (distinctions) in WASSCE result, first class honours in the universities without a single knowledge in any definite course or subject.

Effects of Exam Malpractice
It will produce teachers, who are unable to spell the names of their school correctly. This generation will end up producing lawyers who cannot differentiate between an accused person and the complainant.
Furthermore, the producing of fake drugs by pharmacists and massive fraud in commercial banks are the consequences of examination malpractices- malpractices not controlled at the earlier stage which blossomed to high scale malpractices and corruption.
How can exam malpractice be discouraged among students?
Students should study harder and prepare for their exams early
Teachers should encourage students to study hard and not look for short-cut to passing their exams
Parents should not in any way encourage their children or ward to engage in exam malpractice by paying for ‘special centre’ or bribing invigilator or teachers during exams
What roles can the school, the students, parents, government and the society at large play to discourage exam malpractice among students?
•       Counseling students regularly
•       Organizing regular awareness seminars and workshop or ‘exam clinic’ on how to pass exams
•       Addressing the educational needs of the students at home and in the school
•       Providing an enabling environment for learning
•       Rewarding academically excellent students
Thank you all!





Olugbenga Adebiyi, The Executive Director of Gemsland Learning & Development Centre, an educationist/ entrepreneur delivered this paper at Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi,Ikeja. He can be reached via E-mail: pragmaticgbengus@gmail.com Tel: 08023356925, 80868376778 or by visiting the company’s website: www.gemslandlearning.com

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