Photo Caption: Yemi Adebanjo,Guest Lecturer
Good day, esteemed Chairman, honorable Board Members, respected parents, distinguished guests, dear students, ladies, and gentlemen.
We are gathered here today to address a critical issue that has plagued our society: the cancerous worm of examination malpractice and corruption. The theme chosen for this 10th anniversary celebration is divinely orchestrated, and I firmly believe there is no better time to deliver this message than now.
I express my profound gratitude to the Almighty God for making this day possible. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the committee and the entire management of the school for granting me this opportunity. I am truly humbled and do not take your trust for granted.
To be candid, I will be well pleased, if at the end of today’s lecture, we all collectively take a decision to confront this menace and work towards creating a culture of academic integrity, honesty, and excellence in our society.
Let’s explore the theme by examining its roots, for every issue has a beginning. The Bible tells us that God created the universe out of nothing and, subsequently, saddled man with the responsibility of stewarding it. However, humanity failed God. This then made God to repent that he had made man on earth and it grieved him at His heart also. (Genesis 6:6-7). The wickedness of man’s heart led God to destroy the earth with a flood, but Noah found favor amidst pervasive corruption.
Similarly, we must stand against examination malpractice and corruption, just as Noah did. Although, the flood destroyed the corrupted world, but the problems persisted afterwards, meaning that corruption may not be totally eliminated but can be managed. (I said may be, because God knows the reason why He said the chaff and the wheat should grow together).
Historically, examination malpractice dates back to:
1914: Senior Cambridge Local Examination leaked out.
1948: Nigerian student’s History paper was cancelled due to foreign materials
(Oke & Jakanyinfa, cited in Yahaya, 6)
1977: Mass leakage of West African School Certificate Examination questions
(Ajere, 7:192-193)
Scholars agree that examination malpractice has become:
A monster defying solutions (Onyechere, in Agabi & Egbezor, 8:216)
A deviant act punishable by schools and the Federal Government of Nigeria
Despite its persistence, we must not succumb to hopelessness. Instead, let us collectively resolve to combat this cancerous monster.
References:
Ajere, (Year). Title of the article/book, 7:192-193.
Agabi, & Egbezor, (Year). Title of the article/book, 8:216.
Oke, M. O., & Jakanyinfa, T. D. (cited in Yahaya, 6).
Genesis 6:6-7 (Bible)
Key words:
Examination: A formal test or assessment, of a person’s knowledge or proficiency in a subject or skill typically written or oral, to evaluate knowledge, skills, or competence.
Malpractice: Improper, unethical, or illegal conduct, especially by a professional, resulting in harm or damage to others. Or careless, wrong or illegal behaviour
Corruption: The abuse of power or position for personal gain, involving dishonest, immoral, or illegal activities. E.g. Bribery etc.
Examination Malpractice: Unethical or illegal actions taken by students, educators, or administrators (Principal and Teachers) to compromise the integrity of examinations, including cheating, impersonation, plagiarism, or altering results.
Additional nuances:
Examination malpractice undermines academic integrity, validity, and reliability.
Corruption in examinations can lead to social, economic, and political consequences.
Malpractice in any form erodes trust and credibility.
Examination malpractice is defined as the deliberate wrongdoing contrary to official examination rules (Maheshwari, 2011). Ugwu (2012) defined it as any deliberate wrong- doing contrary to official examination rules and designed to place a candidate at an unfair advantage.
I simply put examination malpractice as doing the wrong thing to earn yourself a grade that you cannot defend.
Director of Isaac Newton Schools,Engr Femi Tanimowo,addressing the congregation during the Symposium
An English philosopher John Locke proposed that the mind of the newborn infant is a tabula rasa, or blank slate, on which experience writes. This agrees with the bible, when it says in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
The Menace of Examination Malpractice and Corruption in Nigeria
Introduction
Education, a cornerstone of human progress, has been an integral part of humanity since its inception. Throughout history, individuals have sought knowledge to enhance their lives and to contribute to societal advancement. Recognizing its significance, education has become institutionalized, playing a vital role in personal and societal development.
However, the noble pursuit of education is often marred by a challenging reality. The pressure to succeed has led many students down a perilous path – examination malpractice. This pernicious practice undermines the very foundation of education, compromising its integrity and value.
The Purpose of Examinations
Tests and examinations aim to:
Assess students’ understanding of taught material
Evaluate knowledge retention
Identify areas for improvement
Examination Malpractice: Forms and Examples
Examination malpractice encompasses various unethical and illegal practices, including:
Pre-Examination Malpractice: This includes,
Accessing examination questions and answers beforehand
Obtaining unauthorized examination materials
In-Examination Malpractice: This includes,
Sneaking written sheets or electronic devices into the examination hall
Asking questions or colluding with peers during the examination
Copying from others or allowing others to copy from you.
Post-Examination Malpractice: This includes,
Altering scores or grades
Falsifying examination records and
Presenting someone else’s work as one’s own (plagiarism)
Students and parents at the Symposium
Collusion and Impersonation: This includes,
Assisting or conspiring with others to engage in malpractice and
Having someone else take the examination on one’s behalf (impersonation)
Why Students Engage in Examination Malpractice
Despite strict invigilation, students may resort to examination malpractice due to:
1. Academic factors:
Lack of preparation
Inadequate understanding of course material
Poor time management
2. Emotional factors:
Stress
Anxiety
Fear of failure
Low self-confidence
3. Personal Factors:
Fear of failure
Anxiety and stress
Lack of confidence
Poor time management
Procrastination
Inadequate preparation
Pressure to achieve high grades
4. Environmental Factors
Peer influence
Parental pressure
Teacher expectations
Competition for limited resources (e.g., scholarships, jobs)
Cultural norms (where cheating is tolerated or encouraged)
5. Institutional Factors:
Inadequate teaching methods
Insufficient resources (e.g., textbooks, technology)
Overemphasis on grades rather than learning
Poor examination security
Lack of consequences for cheating
6. Societal Factors:
Corruption and dishonesty in society
High stakes testing (e.g., university admission, job placement)
Pressure to succeed in a competitive world
Limited opportunities for academic support
Normalization of cheating (e.g., “everyone does it”)
7. Psychological Factors:
Low self-esteem
Fear of disappointing others
Need for validation
Avoidance coping mechanisms
Moral disengagement (rationalizing cheating as acceptable)
8. Technological Factors:
Easy access to information (e.g., online cheating resources)
Social media platforms facilitating collaboration and information sharing
Digital tools enabling impersonation or proxy testing
These factors often intersect and can vary across individuals, institutions, and cultures.
Consequences of Examination Malpractice
Committing examination malpractice has severe consequences, including:
1. Academic consequences:
Undermining cognitive ability to reason and solve problems
Inhibiting reproduction of classroom knowledge
Lack of retention and application of learned material
2. Ethical consequences:
Fostering dishonesty and corruption
Breeding a culture of mediocrity
Eroding personal integrity and self-respect
3. Long-term consequences:
Limited career opportunities
Inadequate preparation for real-world challenges
Damage to professional reputation
Undermining academic integrity
Devaluation of degrees or certifications
Other consequences:
Legal action and penalties
Loss of scholarships or financial aid
Expulsion or suspension from institution
Emotional distress and guilt
The Danger of a Culture of Examination Malpractice
A lifestyle of seeking ‘help’ discreetly breeds:
Dishonest leaders
Corruption
Lack of integrity
Undermining the value of education
Erosion of public trust in institutions
The Link between Examination Malpractice and Corruption in Nigerian Society
Examination malpractice in schools can perpetuate corruption in Nigerian society in the following ways:
Carryover behavior: Malpractice becomes ingrained, translating to unethical practices.
Addictive lifestyle: Dishonesty becomes habitual.
Lack of accountability: No shame or consequence.
Enabling harmful habits: Support for bad practices.
Danger to society: Fake results lead to unqualified individuals.
Displacement of deserving individuals.
Economic sabotage: Inflated project costs.
Self-interest over public good.
Negative influence.
Combating Examination Malpractice and Corruption: A Multifaceted Approach
Institutional Reforms
Proper funding of education
Regular maintenance of facilities
Transparent examination processes
Employ competent teachers
Provide conducive learning environments
Parental and Community Involvement
Parents: support corrective measures, avoid taking sides
Proper upbringing from tender age
Collaboration with school authorities
Community-based support initiatives for character development
Support from religious bodies
Disciplinary Measures
Bring offenders to book
Record and track misconduct
Eradicate cultism and improper dressing
Strict penalties for examination malpractice
Prevent loitering during school hours
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Technology Integration
Utilize modern technology to detect cheating
Digital monitoring systems
Online platforms for reporting malpractice
Thorough checks before entering examination halls
Societal Values
Promote equality and inclusivity (no tribalism)
Value hard work and meritocracy
Foster a culture of integrity and accountability
Additional Strategies
Regular assessment and evaluation
Teacher training and accountability
Incentives for honest performance
Collaborate with law enforcement agencies
Student counseling and guidance
Community engagement and awareness
Policy Reforms to:
Review and update examination policies
Strengthen laws against examination malpractice
Establish national examination standards
Encourage transparency in school management
Respect for the work and dignity of the individual
Promote academic integrity and honesty
Address root causes of malpractice (fear, stress, lack of preparation)
Implement effective invigilation and monitoring
Provide support systems for struggling students
Foster a culture of excellence and meritocracy
Research Studies:
UNESCO’s “Combating Corruption in Education”
Transparency International’s “Corruption in Education”
Nigerian Government’s “National Policy on Education”
Statistics:
60% of Nigerian students engage in examination malpractice (Source: UNESCO)
40% of teachers involve in examination malpractice (Source: Transparency International)
CONCLUSION
In closing, I leave you with a timeless message of hope and encouragement. As Galatians 6:7 reminds us, Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The rewards of honesty and integrity may not be immediate, but be rest assured, they will come in due time.
To our esteemed teachers, I urge you to model exemplary behavior and instill values of honesty and integrity in your students.
To our parents, I encourage you to reinforce these values at home, guiding your children to make wise choices.
And to everyone present, I charge you to strive for excellence with integrity. Aim high, but never compromise your values for fleeting gains. Be faithful, content, and honest, and you will reap the rewards in due season.
As you go forth, remember to keep these words close to heart and share them with others. May we collectively cultivate a culture of integrity, honesty, and accountability.
Thank you, may God bless you
Being paper presented at the 10th year anniversary of Isaac Newton schools, Matogun, Ogun state, NIGERIA , 20th September 2024
