The Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, has said that there is a need for the government to put in place a policy to discourage examination malpractices and punish offenders in the country.
He, therefore, called on parents to check the activities of their children to ensure proper moral training and support punishment for offenders.
He spoke on Monday while declaring open the national sensitisation workshop on examination malpractice in Nigeria organised by the National Examination Council and the National Assembly with the theme “The role of education stakeholders in tackling examination malpractice in Nigeria.”
He said, “An examination is a form of assessing the learner’s understanding, knowledge, ability, and general comprehension of what they have been taught. This gives the teachers feedback on their instructional processes.
“Evidence has shown the increasing incidence of examination malpractice by students and learners at all levels, which conflicts with the aim of education.
“The various forms of examination malpractice, such as impersonation, smuggling of foreign materials into the exam hall, external assistance, and others, in a bid to help students pass their examinations, lead to poor quality learners who cannot defend the certificates obtained.
“All stakeholders, such as teachers, parents, and even students, must show a high level of commitment and honesty. Parents should also periodically check the activities of their children and wards, ensure proper moral training, and support punishment for offenders.”
The government must also put in place a policy to deter such acts and punish offenders.
Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, chairman of the Senate committee on education (basic and secondary), who was represented by the vice chairman committee on education (basic and secondary), Senator Akon Ayakenyi, called on the teachers, “whom she described as drivers of the education process, to help check the examination malpractice.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Registrar of the National Examination Council, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Education towards the success of the workshop and prayed that the purpose for which stakeholders gathered would be achieved.
