Factors Responsible For Examination Malpractice Among Senior Secondary School Students
Factors Responsible For Examination Malpractice Among Senior Secondary School Students
Abstract
This study is on factors responsible for examination malpractice among senior secondary school. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made principals, vice principals administration, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Education is an instrument for national development. In Nigeria, before the 1840s there was in existence a system of education. This was broadly traditional, occupationally oriented and informal apprenticeship system. This type of education as at that time was quite relevant to the needs of the society. However, examinations play vital role not only in our educational system but also in the society as a whole. In the Nigerian school system various forms of examinations are noticed. These are the entrance examinations, the terminal and promotion examinations, the senior school certificate examination and degree or diploma examinations. Students are required to pass any form of examination they partake in for the purpose of assessing and evaluating their ability and cognitive skills. Also, due to the reason that success in a particular level of examination often times serve as a requirement for promotion for further education. This makes student find various means of achieving success in these examinations and one of such ways is by cheating in examinations.
Examination has been recognized as forming the nucleus of education with the principal aim of assessing how much learning has taken place and to what extent the educational goals and objectives have been achieved. It is assumed that without examination, education will be incomplete since there may be no avenue for assessment. Examination malpractice is one of the serious problems plaguing Nigeria system of education today coupled with intellectual dishonesty. The fact remains that examination malpractice has become a usual practice in Nigeria with almost every person being involved in one or the other. The incidence of cheating in examinations is multidimensional in nature (Onyekwelu, 2005).
Cheating in examinations has changed the habits and attitudes of students towards examination, before, during or after examinations. Cheating in examination which is also known as examination malpractice, is an act of not keeping to examination ethics and the violation of rules and regulations of the conduct of examinations (Ekpe, 2004). Cheating in examination is a common practice everywhere and every examination season witnesses the emergence of new and ingenious ways of cheating. Though cheating is neither a recent phenomenon nor is it peculiar to Nigeria or Africa, the alarming rate of increase is a global issue (Awanbor, 2005).
Cheating in examinations started before the early 70s, the situation became worse in1977 when mass cheating was first perpetrated in WAEC examination resulting in public outcry on the credibility of examinations then in Nigeria. In the 1990s, the act became a dangerous epidemic because it spread in a great proportion to every level of the educational institution in the country (Opata, 2003).
The menace of examination malpractice is quite old in Nigeria. In the words of Olushola (2006) the brief history of examination malpractice in Nigeria according to historical records is traceable to the year as far back as 1914, when there was a leakage of question paper into senior Cambridge Local Examination. However, some people traced the history of this menace to the wave of cancellation of Nigeria Matriculation Examination the then “Yaba” Nigeria Technical in 1984. Cheating in examination is a manifestation of dishonest attitude. It is a deliberate act of commission made by a candidate, single−handedly or in collaboration with others, to obtain a better grade than he is capable of obtaining. This is not new and is not peculiar to specific schools (Isanghedihi, 1988). It is a negative tendency that has eaten deep into the substance of the examination system. Due to increase in the cases of cheating in examinations, it has not only constituted a deviant behaviour, but has also affected the validity of examination results and certificates issued to candidates concerned (Onyehalu, 2006).
According to Ohuche (2000), the school principals and administrators contribute to students’ negative attitude towards cheating in examination because some of the school principals and administrators direct staff to fraudulently assist students during examinations, since their promotion sometimes depends on the percentage of students that excel in examinations.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
There has been much outcry on the issue of examination malpractice and the fall of the standard of Education in Nigeria. A lot of questions have been raised as to what factors are responsible for this and what sustains examination malpractice in the education sector from primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. However, it has been observed that students no longer consider hardwork as a prerequisite for success but tend to substitute it with examination malpractice inorder to succeed. Parents are not exonerated from the blame of instigating cheating as some parents do all they can to make sure that their children pass their examinations. Teachers who are not well equipped in terms of training contribute to examination malpractice in schools. Non-payment of teachers salary as at when due and grant of allowances also facilitate examination malpractice on part of the teachers who try hard to make ends meet even out of greed and bribery. Government policies regarding education and politics and employing non-qualified teachers who are relatives of government officials jeopardize the progress of the country’s education sector.
Special centres owned by school heads for special candidates which ought not to be constitute examination malpractice in schools. On the part of security agents, they are not left out as most of them open question papers on their way before the actual examination day and sell to prospective candidates and parents of students this result in a breach of effective security which may be responsible for examination malpractice.
Hiko (2008) asserts that the issue of examination malpractice is quite disheartening considering the prominence assumed by the act in the school system. He points out that the phenomenon has become a source of concern to stakeholders since almost every person in one way or the other contribute to examination malpractice. In line with the problems identified this study sought to investigate on the factors that are responsible for examination malpractice among students in selected secondary schools in Uyo metropolis and proffer possible remedy to the factors that will be identified in the course of the study.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The broad objective of the study is to ascertain the factors that are responsible for examination malpractice in secondary schools in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State.
The broad objective is in the following specific objectives.
- To examine the relationship between students’ factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis.
- To examine the influence of parents’ factors on examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis.
- To determine the relationship between teacher’s factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis.
- To determine the influence of examination bodies on examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis.
1.4 Research Hypotheses
For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;
- H0: There is no significant relationship between students’ factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis.
H1: There is significant relationship between students’ factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis. - H02: There is no significant relationship between teachers’ factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo metropolis.
H2: There is significant relationship between teachers’ factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo metropolis.
1.5 Significance of the Study
It was hoped that the findings of the study would generate information which policy makers and examining bodies could use to correlate with the already existing body of knowledge to curb Examination Malpractices. It would also help build confidence in our education system by producing graduates of substance who will in turn contribute effectively to the economic development of our country.
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The scope of the study covers factors responsible for examination malpractice among senior secondary school. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;
a) Availability of Research Material:
The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
b) Time:
The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
c) Organizational Privacy:
Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities
1.7 Definition of Terms
The terms used in this study have the following meanings:-
Anomie
Lack of purpose, identity or ethical values in a society. It also means rootlessness (Collins Concise Dictionary, 1978).
Decadence
A process, condition or period of decline, deterioration or decay as in morals. (Collins Concise Dictionary, 1978)
Examination Malpractice
An illegal act done by student, teacher, invigilator, supervisor, school administrator, parent or any public officer, before, during and after examinations in order for the pupil to be awarded undeserved marks. (Chapi, 2011)
Expedient
Suited to the circumstances; convenient; based on what is of use or advantage rather than what is right or just; self-interest. (Collins Concise Dictionary, 1978)
Managing
To direct or control the use of something; bringing something under control, to handle something efficiently.
Mercenaries
People involved in examination malpractices for monetary gains.
Mutate
To change.
Paradigm
A pattern, example or model
Segregationist
Discrimination
Strategy
A plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. A well planned series of actions for achieving an aim, especially success against a potent or challenge. ( Collins Concise Dictionary 1978)
Thematically
Based on recurring, unifying subject or idea.
Unorthodox
Unconventional, not conforming to the usual practice.
Vice
An evil or wicked action, habit, depravity or corruption.
1.8 Organization of the Study
This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows
- Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
- Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
- Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
- Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
- Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain factors responsible for examination malpractices among senior secondary school. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenge of factors responsible for examination malpractices among senior secondary school
5.3 Summary
This study was on factors responsible for examination malpractices among senior secondary school. Three objectives were raised which included:To examine the relationship between students’ factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis, to examine the influence of parents’ factors on examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis, to determine the relationship between teacher’s factors and examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis, to determine the influence of examination bodies on examination malpractice among secondary school students in Uyo Metropolis. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200staff of selected secondary schools in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made principals, vice principals administration, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
5.2 Conclusion
Examination malpractices have become a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the educational system in Nigeria. Apart from concertizing the students to shun all manners of malpractices, the teachers have a major role to play. The teachers, if determined to stamp out examination malpractices, there will be no trace of malpractices in all Nigerian schools. The teacher remains the pivot of curbing examination malpractices. If lessons are effectively and efficiently delivered, the student is adequately prepared for the examination, the teacher ensures that examination is conducted in the right way, there is no form of assistance and students are adequately monitored by the teacher during examinations, then the issue of examination malpractices is half solved. The government, parent, churches etc may need to only play complementary roles
5.4 Recommendation
The gospel or examination malpractices should be preached more to the teachers than even the students. Students in any public examination look unto the teacher or schools for assistance and where such help do not exist, malpractices will be minimized
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