CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study:
Examinations are crucial tools for assessing students' understanding and mastery of educational content. However, the emergence of examination malpractice has significantly undermined the integrity and purpose of examinations. What was once a mild issue has evolved into a pervasive problem that threatens the validity and reliability of examinations. Examination malpractice encompasses various illicit activities, such as sneaking foreign materials into examination halls, seeking external assistance, and switching answer booklets, all aimed at securing unmerited grades.
As Myles Munroe aptly puts it, "When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable." The purpose of examinations, originally intended to gauge students' knowledge and skills, is compromised by malpractice. This issue is considered a form of corruption infiltrating the Nigerian educational system, involving students, teachers, parents, and administrators.
The extent of examination malpractice varies between urban and rural secondary schools, with conflicting views on its prevalence. Some argue that urban schools witness higher rates, while others claim rural schools are more affected. The involvement of private and special centers in external examinations further complicates the problem. Teachers, parents, and administrators contribute to malpractice through actions such as providing ready-made answers, reading answers aloud, and even engaging in bribery and sexual favors.
Divergent views on the root causes and locations of examination malpractice highlight the complexity of the issue. Effective supervision and monitoring during examinations are suggested solutions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
Statement of the Problem:
Examination malpractice has become a stronghold, defeating the true purpose of examinations in the Nigerian educational system. The involvement of various stakeholders, including students, teachers, parents, and administrators, has further exacerbated the issue. The consequences of this malpractice extend beyond the examination halls, impacting the quality of secondary school products.
Certificates obtained through malpractice may not reflect the students' true intellectual capacities, leading to inadequately equipped graduates. The inability to defend these certificates may hinder their pursuit of higher education and career goals. This study seeks to address the threats posed by examination malpractice to the quality of secondary school products in Uyo educational zone. By understanding the root causes and implications, the research aims to contribute to finding effective solutions to reverse the alarming situation in the educational system.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between examination malpractices and quality of secondary school products in Uyo Educational Zone of Akwa Ibom State. Specifically, the study intends to examine the:
- Modes of examination malpractices among secondary school students.
- Teacher’s involvement in examination malpractices and quality of secondary school products.
- Parent’s involvement in examination malpractices and the quality of secondary school products.
Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study.
- What are the predominant modes of examination malpractice among secondary school students?
- To what extent are teacher’s involvement in examination malpractice and how it affects the quality of secondary school products?
- To what extent are parent’s involvement in examination malpractice and how it affects the quality of secondary school products?
Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were raised for statistical analysis at .05 alpha.
Ho1: There was no significant influence of modes of examination malpractice on the quality of secondary school products.
Ho2: There was no significant relationship between teacher’s involvements in
examination malpractice and quality secondary school products.
Ho3: There was no significant relationship between parent’s involvements in
examination malpractice and quality of secondary school products. Significance of the Study
The findings of this study would be of immense benefits to
- Students: it will help the students to shun the practice of examination malpractice after realizing the negative effects it has on their intellectual growth.
- Teachers: it will help teachers to put in all the best to impart knowledge by giving the students the adequate time and attention needed to come out as quality products.
- Parents: it will help parents encourage their kids to take up any career of their choice without imposing it on them.
- Administrators: it will help administrators to monitor the effectiveness of their teachers in classroom and the academic progress of the students to know how much effort has been put to make them better and quality students.
- Researchers: the findings of this study would serve as a reference material for students and other researchers who will conduct research in this area.
Delimitation of the study
The study is investigated the relationship between examination malpractices and quality of secondary school products in Uyo Educational Zone with particular reference to the modes of examination malpractice among students, teachers’ involvement in examination malpractices and parents’ involvement in examination malpractices.
Limitation of the study
While undertaking this study, the researcher encountered constraints such as inaccessibility and difficulty in obtaining information or resources from the internet to aid the progress of the work.