veronique likenesses: Panel Says Examination Malpractice Devalues Certificates

Students- Exam

Panelists at a one day seminar organised by the Lagos office of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) have observed that examination malpractice has contributed to the devaluation of certificates awarded by educational institutions just as they made wide ranging recommendations to overcome the menace.

In her welcome address, the officer in charge of the Lagos State office of the board, Mrs. Lynn Adamma Fagbuyi noted that examination malpractice has become so rampant that education stakeholders no longer have enough confidence in the certificates being issued by various educational institutions all over the country. She called for more innovative and decisive steps to stop examination malpractice.

Her words; ?Examination malpractice has become a major problem in our society. It is quite worrisome to observe the rate of recklessness exhibited at examination centres. It is also more worrisome to note that stakeholders have continued to watch the increase in this ugly trend. For us to restore the credibility of our certificates, we should all work hard to eradicate examination malpractice.

She called for tougher sanctions for staff of examination bodies that collude with candidates to cheat. The NABTEB officer also urged college authorities to ensure that students are properly prepared and adequately trained so that they can go into the examination centre with confidence.

The Human Resource Manager, JKN Training Centre Lagos, Mrs. Mercy Olu-Aina noted that ?Examination malpractice is more of societal problem due to the breakdown of societal values, norms, virtues, laws, rules and regulations.?

She said the causes of examination malpractice include irregularities in the conduct, administration and lack of adequate preparation by examination bodies, lack or insufficient examination materials and question papers, leakages of examination questions through the examination bodies and other stakeholders.

Examination malpractice is also aided by government officials, parents, staff and students of schools and staff of examination bodies. Mrs. Aina disclosed that there have been instances where parents and guardians encourage their wards to cheat by going to examination centres to pay for assistance during examinations. As she puts it, ?we have seen cases where parents have been arrested for writing examination for their wards?.

To end examination malpractice, the human resource expert suggested that workshops and libraries should be stocked and equipped with tools and books. Schools should employ qualified teaching and non-teaching staff who should be well remunerated. NABTEB and other examination bodies should also adequately remunerate all those who are involved in the conduct of examinations.

Mrs. Aina added that examination hall and classroom environment should be more conducive by the provision of adequate chairs, tables and proper spacing of candidates during examinations. It is also important for teachers to complete the syllabus just as candidates should be scrutinized and searched properly before entering examination halls.

She also advocated setting up of Guidance and Counselling unit in schools to enlighten students, staff and parents on the importance of hardwork, honesty and other moral values. With particular reference to NABTEB examinations, the panelists called on the board to improve remuneration of examination officers. ?Practical papers to be released to candidates on dates stated on the timetable. ?Sufficient questions and answer booklets should be printed.

Examination questions must be properly verified before being packed and sent to examination centres. Government must improve the standard and quality of education by assisting both government and private technical colleges with provision of infrastructure, equipment tools and books and adequately remunerated staff.

Culled From Vanguard.
BY DAYO ADESULU

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