A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF KADUNA STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

Education in the general sense of the word covers the whole life of any individual from birth up until death shows that education is as old as man’s existence on earth. The formal school system is greatly influenced in its result on the lives of all who pass through it.

In Nigeria before the 1840’s there was a system of education that has been in existence. This was basically traditional, occupationally oriented and informal apprenticeship system. This type of education as at the time was of high relevance to the needs of the society.

The advent and influence of the Christian missionary activities in Nigeria affected a change from the informal system of education to the western oriented type of education. Preference was no longer for hard work but acquisition of certificate. Fortunately or unfortunately every achievement or goal oriented tasks a certification/qualification of schooling.

However, examinations play essential roles not only in our educational system but also in the society at large. The society demands from its members a diversity of specialized functions.

In the Nigerian school system various forms of examinations are noticed. These are the entrance examinations, the terminal and promotion examinations and most especially the senior school certificate examination. Students are required to pass any forms of examinations they partake in to be seen as being successful. But these days students now find various means of achieving success in these examinations and one of such ways is by indulging in examination malpractice in examinations through leakage in examination papers, impersonation, external assistance, copying, smuggling of foreign materials, substitution of script and improper assignment.

The fact remains that examination malpractice has become a common practice in Nigeria. Examination has been recognized as forming the nucleus of education without which the enterprise will be incomplete.

Empiricism shows that examinations indicate the extent of factual knowledge acquired by students, predict future educational achievement and provide a means of selecting suitable candidates for certain educational courses or occupation.

One of the principal aim of examination is to assess how much learning has taken place and to what extent the educational objectives and goals have been achieved. One serious problem plaguing Nigeria system of education today is large examination malpractice coupled with intellectual dishonesty. Our pupils and students devise as a daily routine, new tricks to beat genuine supervisors and examiners.

The incidence of examination malpractice is multi dimensional in nature. Smuggling of textbooks or prepared notes into examination hall. They insult, embarrass, threaten and even assault invigilators and supervisors who failed to co-operate with them in their unholy and nefarious acts.

1.2     Statement of Problem

          The persistent occurrence of examination malpractices has been a major concern to educationist.  Despite the high premium placed on examinations by the National Policy on Education (FGN, 2004), it seems that examination malpractices have not been properly addressed in Kaduna state.  Common observations have shown that there is mass cheating in public examinations in the local government.  Nothing concrete has been done to reduce the problem except the cancellation of results for a particular centre or the withholding of results in certain subjects.   The problem of the study was that finding a lasting solution to the issue of examination malpractices among secondary school students in Kaduna state.

1.3     Purpose of the Study

          The study aims at examining the perceived causes of examination malpractices among students in secondary schools in both urban and rural areas of Kaduna state, Nigeria and proffer useful recommendations on the way out of the problem. Other specific objectives of the study are to;

1. Examine the perceived causes of examination malpractices in public examinations in secondary schools in Kaduna state.
2. Examine the identified devices used in examination malpractices in secondary schools in Kaduna state?
3. Determine if there is a significant relationship between students’ age grade and the number of cases of examination malpractices recorded in Kaduna state.
4. Determine if there is any significant relationship between examination malpractices cases recorded in schools and students academic performance in Kaduna state.
5. Determine if their is there any significant relationship between students’ gender and the number of cases of examination malpractices recorded in Kaduna state.

1.4.     Research Questions

          In addressing the problem, the following research questions were raised:

1. What are the perceived causes of examination malpractices in public examinations in secondary schools in Kaduna state?
2. What are the identified devices used in examination malpractices in secondary schools in Kaduna state?
3. Is there any significant relationship between students’ age grade and the number of cases of examination malpractices recorded in Kaduna state?
4. Is there any significant relationship between examination malpractices cases recorded in schools and students academic performance in Kaduna state?
5. Is there any significant relationship between students’ gender and the number of cases of examination malpractices recorded in Kaduna state?

1.5     Research Hypotheses

Ho1: There is no significant relationship between students’ age grade and number of examination malpractice cases recorded in Kaduna state

Ho2: There is no significant relationship between students’ gender and number of examination malpractice cases recorded in Kaduna state.

Ho3: There is no significant relationship between school inhabitation and number of examination malpractice cases recorded in Kaduna state.

Ho4: There is no significant relationship between students’ scores and number of examination malpractice cases recorded in Kaduna state.

1.6.   Significance of the Study

          The result of this study will help in improving the level of discipline among students through counseling services in schools.

          It will also help teachers at effective supervision of students during examinations, and finally it will help in the termination of appointment of examination officials and teachers involved in perpetrating examination malpractices so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

1.7     Scope and Limitations of the study

          This study is limited to only six selected secondary schools in Kaduna state form 2006-2016, this is due to lack of adequate finance and time constraint.

1.8     Definition of Terms

Examination:     This is a formal test that is normally taken to test your knowledge of a subject.

Malpractices:     This is a behaviour in which someone breaks the low or the rules of their profession in order to gain some personal advantage.

Schools:    this is a place where children are educated or were children are taken to learn.

Perceived: This is to realize, see or notice something that is not obvious.

Causes:     To make something happen especially something bad or unpleasant.  The person or thing that makes something happen.

Solutions: This is a way of dealing with or removing a difficulty.