Why examination malpractice thrives in the north

Sir: Many factors have been disrupting the educational sector of the Northern parts of the country but without doubt, the greatest evil bedeviling that sector is examination malpractice, which is a repugnant act that needs radical attention if the country is to develop. The menace is rampant in the Northern part and has been affecting the qualitative education that our brothers and sisters should acquire. Apathy on our part; folding our arms bare-chested could be said to be our contribution to the aggravation of accelerating the country to the path of retrogression.
   
In Northern Nigeria, today, a student can participate in examination malpractice through innumerable ways. The first one to be noted is by “collusion”, a state where a student would copy directly from another candidate; or by  “impersonation” where a student would employ someone to write the examination on his behalf—specifically during final year exams, WAEC or NECO; or by the most unfortunate, which is by  “bribing” the teachers as a way of getting the question paper(s) before the examination.

Examination malpractice among students in Northern Nigeria emanates first from fear of failure, which itself may be due to his poor reading, preparation or lack of proper teaching by the teachers. 

Furthermore, bad teachers contribute aggressively in promoting the menace of examination malpractice in the Northern Nigeria. Most teachers do not teach for passion but for money. And when that happens, teachers may not pay a radical heed to the student(s)

On the other hand, in public schools, bad governance too has its contribution in oiling examination malpractice in public schools in Northern Nigeria. A teacher may not be able to teach properly due to lack of teaching equipment that should be bought by the government, or the government pays peanut salary that can’t cater for the teacher’s need. So, students are encouraged to participating in examination malpractice.

The most unfortunate fact about malpractice is that the participant will not be able to defend his certificate. One who graduates from medical school would be killing patients due to his ignorance which resulted from the examination malpractice; a teacher would be teaching nothing but tales of frogs and dogs; a politician can’t speak fluently in public. Just, where are we heading to? The path of progression or retrogression? 

Solution to examination malpractices will require that qualified teachers are employed and paid adequate remuneration. Similarly, there is need to elect or appoint competent leaders. An ingenious leader will always support educational sector as a key to success. 

Haneef Muhammad wrote from Gombe State.