CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Examination in Odeda Local Government area of Ogun State Schools dated back to the advent of formal education in the country in the 1800s and it was patterned after the British system. Presently, all secondary schools in Odeda local government area are expected to teach their subjects to meet the requirement of examination bodies for the senior secondary school certificate examination organized by the West African Examination council and the National Examination Council (FGN, 2004).
In Odeda local government area of Ogun State, examination are either internal or public.
Internal examination are the examination set by teachers in the form of class tests, and end of term examinations that are conducted in the public interest by recognized examining bodies that were not involved in organizing instruction or preparing students for the examinations, notwithstanding the importance of examination in educational system, the instance of malpractice during examination have been identify. This malpractice includes: misrepresentation of identity or impersonation, cheating, theft of other students work, tampering with the works of others, bringing prepared answers to examination halls, unethical use of academic regulations, (Gross, 2003; Owuamanam, 2005). These vices have been regarded as academic misbehaviour capable of truncating an educational system (Glasner, 2002; Ogunwuyi, 2005). Examination malpractice can also be regarded as dishonesty in examination perpetrated among the students (Omotosho, 2003; Hurivitz 2004).
Common observations shows that examination malpractice occur in both public and private secondary schools although some researcher argued that examination malpractice occur at high rate in public schools (Baiyelo, 2004; Daniel, 2005).
Other researchers (Yalya, 2000; Iguwe, 2004) were of the view that examination malpractices occur at a high rate in private school. None of this researcher has been able to identify whether or not examination malpractice was not a higher rate in public schools than in private schools, the argument therefore is, “are public secondary schools more involved in examination malpractice than private schools?”. In the past two decades common observation in the schools were engaged in examination malpractices at a high rate, while private schools were model schools. These days, it is common to find students who failed the senior secondary school going to retake the examination in private schools and at the same time passing the examination with credits and distinctions in such schools. It seems that the need to have good result in public examinations and advertise their schools to prospective students in the wake of money making appears to have led many private schools to be involved in examination malpractices.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This study is to analyze and find out the Causes and the Effect of Examination Malpractice in Senior Secondary Schools in Odeda local government area.
At what level has examination malpractice affects the students?
i. What are the types of examination malpractice prevalent in Secondary Schools in Odeda Local Government area?
ii. What are the effects of examination malpractice on the secondary school student?
What should be considered as the causes or factors contributing to students involvement in examination malpractices in Odeda Local Government area Secondary Schools? What are the suggested solution to the problem among the student of Senior Secondary School Odeda Local Government area?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
Various attempts have been made to reduce the incidence of examination malpractice yet the problem still persist even at a more alarming rate there is the need to evolve a permanent solution to this cankerworm. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the incidence and Effects of Examination Malpractice in Secondary School in Odeda Local Government area.
1.4 Research Questions
Based on the objectives the following research questions are postulated.
i. What are the causes and factors contributing to examination malpractices from the view of secondary school students in Odeda local government area secondary school?
ii. What are likely solution to combat examination malpractice in secondary school from the view point of students?
iii. What are the devices used by students?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
i. There is no significant difference in the perceived causes of examination malpractices among students in Odeda Local Government area on the basis of religious affiliation.
ii. There is no significant difference in the perceived causes of examination malpractice among students in Odeda Local Government area on the basis of class level.
1.6 Scope of the Study
An examination which can be in essay or objective type, oral or written, theory or practical, constitutes an integral part of the education process. It is conducted in order to determine the extent to which knowledge and skill have been acquired. Based on examination result, decision could be taken on admission into educational institution and employment in the labour market.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
This study is subjected to limitation and challenges that accompany and research work that make use of questionnaire like; non-compliance of some respondents and inadequate information regarding the problem under investigation.
Finally, financial and time constraints were also some of the challenges that pose a lot of limitations on the scope of the study.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined as used in this paper
i. Quality: Something good, ideal or of high standard
ii. Qualityassurance: Consistent provision and utilization of good and high standard resources to faster effective teaching and learning, in every stage and aspect of the educational system. Quality assurance is meaningful when application of its strategy is not deferred till the ends of an educational programme
iii. Examination:Test, assessment evaluation: it is an instrument for assessing individuals skill and knowledge in general and specific areas of studies, and over all academic achievements.
iv. Examination malpractices:A misconduct or improper practices before, during or after any examination by the examines or other with a view, to obtaininggood results, by fraudulent means.
v. Input: Human and non human resources provided into an organization from the beginning of a programme to the implementation stage and to the end of the programme.
vi. Process:Activities such as teaching, learning and counseling in personal in the educational institution engage.