A SURVEY OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECT OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AMONG STUDENTS

A SURVEY OF THE CAUSES AND EFFECT OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AMONG STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

It is true that no nation can rise above the quality of education provided for her citizens. And since the advent of western education in Nigeria, examinations have been the major instrument used for the evaluation of learners. i.e. (student achievement)

       Examination is an instrument used or the assessment of individual skills and knowledge content both in general and specific areas of studies and overall academic achievement or performance.

       To Liman as cited by Arifayan (2004) examination in broad perspective is an instrument for testing, assessing, evaluation and accreditations, thus in school, examination is a potent instrument for judgment of knowledge or competence.

       Alutu (2005) simply defined examination as a process of measuring how much knowledge a student in an institution of learning has acquired after exposing him/her to definite course of instruction.

       Drawing upon these definitions, examination can rightly be said to be an indispensable tool in our educational system. In fact it serves in various purposes, e.g for grade and awards of certificates, promotion, selection of best candidates for various purposes and admission.

       From the above it can be seen that success in examination serves as a good motivator for students, lecturers, school administrators and employers of labour, but on the other hand failure to perform successfully in examinations demoralizes all and sundry, especially students.

       It is the crave to succeeded and avoid frustration or any embarrassment associated with failure that made the student to engage in examination malpractice which has threatened the very foundation of our educational system.

       The origin of examination malpractice dates back to the senior Cambridge local examinations leakage in (1914)

       Effect from that time, it has graduated from mere stretching of neck (Giraffing) to see what another candidate is writing during examination or consulting unauthorized notes or book inside or outside or outside the examination hall to such sophisticated methods as the use of micro computers, mobile phones and Gen(s)  to intimidate those concerned with the administration of examination.

       Examination malpractice is construed as irregularities, violations of or infringement on examination rules and regulation before, during or after the conduct of examination (2005/2006) student handbook of information, Auchi polytechnic Auchi.

       Alutu (2005) defines examination malpractice as involving a deliberate act of wrong doing contrary to official examination rules, and it designed to place a candidate in an unfair advantage.

       Examination malpractice also refers to any act of wrong doing or neglect that contravenes the rules acceptable practical before, during and after examinations by anybody in anyway which is tantamount to malpractice, such act could be carried out by the candidate, examination officials (such as an examiner, invigilator, invigilator, supervisor typist security personnel heads of institutions etc)

       In conclusion, it has eaten deep into the heart of the nations, educational system as student/ candidate now regards examination malpractice as the ultimate process to success

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

       Examination malpractice has been on the increase in our society as the years rolled by, numerous research work have been carried out by various researchers pertaining to malpractice in our educational system.

       Inspite of these, it has been the order of the day in various institutions, schools and colleges

However it could be said to

1.  promote laziness and laxity in school whereby student do not read books anymore to meditates day and night upon what has been taught

2.  Cancellation of result?

3.  lack of motivation or incentive to read hard in order to be successful in examination

4.  threat from lectures as a result of students failure to comply with certain demand (sexual harassment)

PURPOSE OF STUDY

1.  to examine the factors responsible for examination malpractice in higher institution.

2.  to find out the people involved in the act (examination malpractice)

3.  and to suggest possible solutions to the problem of examination malpractice in higher institution and other various schools

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

       The study intend to find out the factors that are responsible for examination malpractice and some possible measures to eradicate it

       It will help to shift emphasis from paper qualification to the job experience by policy making, those who plan the curriculum in Nigeria will have to check the loopholes and make some necessary adjustment.

       This study will equip institutions of higher learning E.g College of Education (Ekiadolor) universities, polytechnics, Monotechnics, ministry of education, N.G.O, with information and new ideologies pertaining to examination malpractice

SCOPE OF STUDY

       The studies intend to find out the causes and effect of examination malpractice in higher institution in the Oredo local government area of edo state.

       It is restricted to higher institution of learning using the students, academic and non academic staff drawn from each department in the school.

RESEARCH QUESTION

       The following are the research question

1.  do parents encourage examinations malpractice

2.  what are the effect of examination malpractice on the Nigerian education system

3.  does lack of facilities causes examination malpractice

4.  does poor supervision and invigilation during examination create room for student involvement in malpractice (cheating giraffing)

5.  are lecturers involved in the act

6.  does over population classroom during examination result in examination malpractice