Examination malpractice: Stakeholders brain Storm to fine-tune ways to tackle menace 

Favour Ishember, Abuja

This was contained in a communique issued at a one-Day National sensitisation workshop on “examination malpractice in Nigeria”, organized by the National Examination Council (NECO), in collaboration with the National Assembly.

In his welcome address, the Registrar/Chief Executive of the NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, said the biggest challenge confronting the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria among others is the issue of examination malpractice.

He stressed that the workshop is both timely and thoughtful and should address the ways and means that can be adopted to curb the menace and re-Orient the minds of Nigerian Youths concerning this cankerworm.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of, Senate Committee on Education ( Basic and Secondary), Sen. Ibrahim Geidam, among others, observed that examination malpractice is also a major change for national growth, peace, and security respectfully in Nigeria.

Represented by the Deputy Chairman, Sen. Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, Geidam, called on the education Stakeholders, to deploy technology and appreciate legislation to address the menace.

He also charged examination bodies to synergy with the National Assembly and security Agencies in order to fight the war against examination malpractice successfully.

In his keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, of the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) Mr. Andrew David Adejoh, said culprits of examination malpractice should be made to face the law to serve as deterrence as well as retrain and evaluation of Teachers enhanced and access their competence and skills Amon others.

The PS was represented by the Director, of Special Duties (FME), Alhaji. Zubairu Abdullahi, also noted that Teachers, supervisors, Parents, and social media contribute greatly to this evil malady which has done serious havoc on the Country.

He then called for more stringent laws by the national assembly that would put to an end the cankerworm in the educational system.

The Chairman Governing Board of NECO, Dr. Abubakar Mohammed in his opening remarks informed Stakeholders that the Commission in a few years ago, introduced certain reforms which have positively impacted the credibility of the results of their examination which attracted Candidates from neighbouring Countries to participate in NECO.

Dr. Mohammed asserted that examination malpractice has to be confronted and eradicated by Stakeholders because it has a negative impact on the development of society.

Various papers which were presented on the workshop include: “The role of Community Leaders, Parents and Teachers in tackling examination malpractice in educational institutions in Nigeria” by Aminu Aliyu Wushishi, “The role of the Nigerian media and new technologies in tackling examination malpractice in schools ” by Prof. Gambari Amosa Isiaka and “The role of Security Agencies and the challenges of prosecuting examination malpractice Cases in Nigeria” by Associates Prof. Rabiu M. Bello.

Stakeholders resolved that there is a need to rebuild the society through the employment of adequately trained and qualified Teachers with good morals, as well as the provision of adequate teaching-learning materials/ infrastructures in schools.

They should ensure that the accreditation of schools is properly carried out in order to stop miracle centers in public examinations.

Most importantly, there is a need for examination bodies to seriously monitor the excessive charges of examination registration fees by certain school administrators.

Stakeholders in the education sector who attended the workshop include Members of the Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Defence Ministry, FCTA Education Secretariat, Security Agencies, Governing Board of NECO, WAEC, NCCE, NUC, NECO Officials, ANCOPPS Chairman, FCT chapter,