Uncovering the Causes and Consequences of Examination Malpractice Among Students

EMMANUEL Gloria T. D22/MAC/0038

Department of Mass Communication
The Polytechnic Ile-Ife, Osun State

Examinations serve as a crucial measure of academic achievement, influencing academic stratification and accreditation. Bodies like WAEC, NECO, JAMB, and NABTEB conduct public and external exams on behalf of the state. Public exams, distinct from school-based assessments, play a pivotal role in evaluating students’ abilities and maintaining curriculum standards.

Public examinations, the societal yardstick for educational outcomes, influence admission, job placements, and certifications. Unfortunately, the pursuit of high performance has led some students to engage in examination malpractice, seeking to bolster their perceived abilities through illicit means.

Examination malpractice encompasses various irregular behaviors violating exam rules. In Nigeria, this includes selling question papers, smuggling materials into halls, impersonation, disorderliness, and forgery.

Regrettably, malpractice involves not only students but also collusion among parents, teachers, school heads, and examination officials.

The prevalence of examination malpractice in Nigeria’s educational system is alarming. WAEC’s Chief Examiner reported that between May/June 1996 and May/June 2005, 9.4% of students—1,367,726 individuals—were involved in malpractice. To combat this, examination bodies employ various methods, such as scrutinizing candidates, restricting electronic devices, and implementing surprise visits to examination centers.

However, these efforts reflect the ongoing battle against examination malpractice, which tarnishes the credibility of exams and diminishes the value of certificates. The consequences are severe, rendering many students unable to defend their credentials or secure employment. This research delves into the causes and repercussions of examination malpractice among senior secondary school students in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

One significant cause uncovered in schools is the link between sexual harassment by teachers and examination malpractice. Additionally, the research highlights a major consequence: examination malpractice unjustly denies innocent students opportunities for admission.