Exam Malpractices Compromise Education Quality, Shortchange Brilliant Students — Don

A professor of Educational Evaluation and Science Education at the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Rafiu Olatoye has stated that examination malpractices compromise the quality of education and deprive the brilliant students required placement especially during admission process.

Professor Olatoye said the menace not only undermines the integrity of the educational system, but also poses a serious threat to national development, if left unchecked.

Olatoye stated this while delivering the 29th Inaugural Lecture Title: “Lamentation and Consolation in the Adventure Of An Educational Evaluator,” at the College of Health Sciences Auditorium of the institution.

“It (Examination malpractices) erodes meritocracy, discourages hard work, and shortchange genuinely brilliant students, especially when competing for admission and other academic opportunities.

“Over the years, examination malpractice has escalated to alarming proportions within the educational system. Practices that were once considered unthinkable have now become increasingly common and, in some cases, normalised.

“This disturbing trend is one of the driving forces behind the growing advocacy for Computer-Based Testing (CBT) by education policymakers, who view it as a potential strategy to curb the menace,” he stressed

Prof Olatoye recommended the creation and maintenance of a conducive study environment, both in school and at home, as a practical strategy for improving students’ psychosocial profiles.

He also called for strengthening of internal motivation, fostering a positive attitude toward schooling, and promoting effective study habits to significantly reduce students’ inclination toward examination malpractice.

“Teachers and school administrators should complement the effort of the school counseling by discussing with the students, both in groups and individually on the need for effective study habit, hard work and interest in learning as secrets of success in examinations,” he said.

He noted that students are over-anxious about examination most of the time because of poor preparation, stressing that seminars and special talks on principles of passing examination without tears should be orgnised regularly.

He further emphasised on the imperative of warning students on the danger of engaging in examination malpractices.