By Dorika Shisham Shekari
The term “Examination malpractice” is defined as a vice which encompasses all forms of illegal or dishonest deliberate acts done by a student or exam official to gain an unfair advantage contrary to the examination rules.
Hydra headed on the other hand, means containing many problems or difficulties. Merging the two, examination malpractice is an evil that contains many problems and difficulties.
Examination malpractice has different forms, which includes Paper leakages, writing answers on pieces of paper or parts of their bodies, Copying or “giraffing,” and having various nicknames to communicate.
It can be caused by poor condition of learning or lack of conducive environment for learning and examination, lack of confidence or fear of failure, lack of commitment to academics, truancy, laziness of teachers and fear of losing their jobs if students fail.
The Punishment for examination malpractice may include imprisonment for 3-5 years, with or without a fine, suspension from school, expulsion or rustication and prosecution by the police
To curb examination malpractice in the Nigerian education system, students should be well prepared for examinations, more emphasis should be laid on skill acquisition, and Parents should stop sponsoring examination malpractice for their wards
Also, Teachers should be re orientated on the ethics of their profession and Children who study hard should be encouraged and rewarded.
By doing so, we create an examination malpractice free society.
Dorika is of Lordswill Academy, Abuja
