Prof., may you never say that prayer

Examination is a spoken or written test of knowledge with the aim of controlling and improving education system and also to determine the level of knowledge students have acquired and their competence. Though many peoples argue that examination is not the true test of knowledge, it remains the most recognized and practical criterion for measuring skills and competence in Nigeria. 

However, when the process of evaluating or measuring knowledge is marred by sharp practices and corruption, it becomes a problem that discredits the process. This has much to do with examination malpractices.
Examination malpractice which is a wrong doing resulting from cheating during examination is one ignoble act which has been the bane of the Nigerian education system. 

This cankerworm has continued to develop over the years to the extent of reducing certificates awarded by schools to “mere papers” that have no value. What is worrisome is the fact that not only do a great majority of our pupils and students indulge in this shameful act, some of our teachers, security agents, educational administrations, parents and of course  the public abet and condone this criminal act which is diminishing the standard of education in Nigeria.

Just last Easter, I was privileged to attend a function organized by a socio—cultural organization in Akwa Ibom State, the Ikot Ekpene Peoples Assembly at the ancient city of Ikot Ekpene. The event attracted great academics, technocrats and indeed other professionals from the area to brainstorm and chart a course for the future. There, the issue of the fallen standard of education in Nigeria took center stage. 

It was on that occasion that Prof. Reuben Kendrick Udoh- an emeritus professor of Geography of the University of Ibadan decried what he termed as the “decaying standard” of education in the country. He lamented a situation where most school learners are found wanting in reading, writing and other academic exercises. The Octogenarian professor was saddened that even the society seems to encourage the negative trend. At that point he said “any parent who buy grades for the child or abet examination malpractice, I will pray that such parents will go to hell”. Then I said to myself, “Prof., may you never say that prayer”.
Frankly, that I did not want the scholar to say that prayer does not mean that I hate prayers. In the contrary, I love prayers and indeed believe in the efficacy of it. 

However, I resisted the prayer that parents who encourage examination malpractice should go to hell because of a few reasons. Firstly, so many parents are guilty as charged. Secondly, the population of hell will be alarming, in view of parents involved. God forbid!

Howbeit, I condemn examination malpractice and other forms of fraud in very strong terms. I vehemently condemn it because of the danger it portends to our nation and even to generations yet unborn. It is to my mind a form of mental laziness which gives rise to mediocrity.

Indeed, the government and the society must wage war against this virus. For the fight against examination malpractice to be won, all hands must be on deck. Government must make laws that are functional regarding examination malpractice. No one has been seen going to jail for examination malpractice and so the students capitalize on that. Besides the current move by the Federal Ministry of Education to blacklist schools involved in examination malpractice should be sustained to wipe away “miracle centers”.

There is also the need to create a conducive learning environment by providing adequate facilities. Qualified teachers must be recruited while class sizes must be trimmed down for effective learning and management.

Teachers should be made to have their rewards here on earth and not in heaven as often said. This could be possible through adequate remuneration to motivate them to put in their best. Any teaching or non teaching staff found to be involved in examination malpractice should be seriously dealt with to serve as deterrent to others. 

Parents, on their part, should be ready to shoulder the responsibility of their wards by paying their fees (thank God in Akwa Ibom State we have free and compulsory education), buying books and clothings for them as well as giving them sound moral advice and to condemn all forms of cheating even at home.
For the fight to succeed there is need for guidance and counseling services to address the academic and emotional problems of students. Indeed, every school should have a professional counselor. 

To capture the interest of pupils and students, teachers should make their classes interesting and boring. Teachers should endeavour to be nice to their students and help them to adopt good study habits.  

The employers of labour should not be more interested in the certificate of completion but on the content of education received. Much emphasis should not be on certificates but on the bearers of such certificates. Students who are at the centre of the fraud should take their studies seriously.  They should endeavour to attend classes regularly bearing in mind that they are in school to learn. Therefore, their academic pursuits should be given priority, students should inculcate good reading culture and forms study groups. 

Failure to do the above would continue to spell doom for our educational sector and I will have no option than to ask the Prof to say the prayer. We must kill fraud in whatever form before it kills us as a nation.