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

References: Abdulkareem A. Y. & Alabi T. 2011. Cubing examination malpractices in the University System: A Management Perspectives. Adamolekun B.O. (1998) test-taking behaviours, Pattern of N.C.E. Students in M. A. Adegboye, O. Olutoye and S. J. O. Adetunbery (Eds.) Issues on Examination Malpractives in Nigeria: A book of Readings. Ikere- ekiti: Ondo State College of Education. Aliyu J. S. and Adeloye J. A. (1991) Examination Cheating among College Studnets: A Case Study of Advanced Teachers’ College A.M.I Kano. The Nigerian Teacher 1(I) Kaduna: NCCE. Alutu A. N. G. And Aluede O. 2006. Secondary Schools Students’ perception of Examination Malpractices and Examination Ethics, Journal of Human Ecology, India: Karalar-Ray Enterprises 20 (4). http://www.helium.com/items/124986-religion-and-its impact retrieved on 16th July, 2011 Coleman, L. J. 1998. The Ability of African Children to Assimilate the Teaching of Science. Journal of Science education in Africa 3492) 77-86. Coukline J. 1996. Introduction to Criminology. New York: Macmillan. Dore R. 1978. The Diploma Disease Union Educational, George Allens Union. Egbegbedia E. A. 2010. Examination Malpractices: The Hydra-headed Monster threatening the Standard of Education in Nigeria. Ilorin Journal of Teacher Education 1(I). Grissmer, R. H. 2003. Beyond Helping with Homework: parents and Children Doing Mathematics at Home. Teaching Children Mathematics 14, 120-131. Holmes, S.E. Slaughder JR & Kashani J. 2001 Risk factors in childhood that lead to the development of conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Child Psychiatry and Human Development. 31 Ijaiya, Y Jones, Caittin M. 2005 Genetic and environmental influences on criminal behaviour Posted on http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/jones.html retrieved on 16th July, 2011. Joseph, J. 2001 Is crime in the genes? A critical review of twin and adoption studies of criminality and antisocial behavior. The journal of mind and behavior, 22. Kayode Gbenga 2010 Exam irregularities in Nigeria secondary schools posted on Aluka Digital Library retrieved on 21 July, 2011. Lamidi S. O. and Adedibu M. B. 2005. Examination Malpractices: The Real Threat to Educational Progress in the nation. Akoka Journal of Education 2 (1&2) Loweinstein, .F Maliki, A. E., 2009. “Parental Socio-economic Status and Attitude of Towards Cultism in Niger Delta University, Bayelsa: Implication for Counseling”. Journal of Human Ecology, 26(1), pp.1-5 Malther, F http://www.helium.com/items/1992865-the-impact-of-religion-onhuman-behaviour. Retrieved on 16th July, 2011. Morley, K. and Hall, W. 2003 Is there a genetic susceptibility to engage in criminal acts? Australian Institute of Criminology. Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice 263. Musgrave, F. 1984 The family education and society. London: Rontledge and Kegal Paul Ltd. Nwana O. C. 2000. Aberration in the Nigerian Schools. UNESCO, Abuja Office, Nigeria. Obe E. O. 1996. Remedies for Mass Failure and Examination Malpractices in E. O. Obe (Ed.), School Discipline and Remedies. Lagos: Premier Press & Publishers. Oduwaiye, R. O., 2005. “Students’ perception of factors and solutions to examination malpractices in Nigeria Universities: A case study of University of Ilorin”. Ilorin Journal of Education. 1 (24), pp. 41-45 Offorma, G Ogundepo, A.O. Olatayo O.F. and Akinteye S.A. 2009 Quality assurance in Nigerian education system:examination malpractice as a threat. ASEJ Vol 4 No 1. Ojikutu D. E. 1987. Administration of Examination in Nigeria: Problems and Solutions in University System. OAU Experiment. A Paper delivered at the WAEC monthly seminar, University of Lagos. Olatunji S. A. 1988 Standards in Nigerian Education in Crucial Issues in Education: The Case of Nigeria Pg. 23-27. Olayinka, M.S. 1993 Guidance and counselling as a method of mitigating examination malpractices, Examination Malpractices Causes, Implication and Remedies. University of Benin: Benin City Olumero, S Oluyeba W. F. and Daramola S. O. 1992. Incidence and Detection of Examination Malpractices in Nigeria Public Examinations. A Paper Presented aat University of Benin National Workshop on Examination Malpractices. Oluwatimilehin, T. 1997 Essentials of Psychology. Ibadan: Demilade Omotayo Publishers. Omonijo, D.O., 2008. Patterns of Corruption in Power Holding Company of Nigeria. An Unpublished M sc Thesis Onakoya A. Y.. and Alarape A. I. 2003. Correlates of Examination Cheating Behaviour among University Studnets. Ife Psychologia II (I). Onyechere, I 2004. Cheating: A world-wide problem. In ‘Comes At Least 33 Ways’ All Africa. com, March 4, 2004 Ozor, F, 2004 Rani, E.O. 2004. Counseling students of the Faculty of Education at the University of Maiduguri against examination malpractice Online Nigeria. May 29, 2004. Rhee, S.H. & Waldman, I.D. 2002 Genetic and environment influence on antisocial behaviour: A meta –analysis of twin and adoption studies. Psychological Bulletin 128.