Passing exams without cheating
Examination malpractices refer to any illegal and inappropriate behaviour that take place before, during and after any examination.
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Examination malpractices take many forms. Some of these are copying from other candidates in the examination hall, impersonation which is exchanging answer or question booklets, sending foreign materials such as phones, calculators, textbooks, sheets of paper on which points have been written, among others, into the hall.
Sometimes during exam malpractices the candidates are not the only guilty ones; the invigilators are also involved.
Malpractices have been recorded over the years in Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECEs) and West Africa Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCEs). There has not been any year that there has been no malpractice recorded at any of the examination centres.
It is surprising that students in basic schools also engage in malpractices. Gradually, they are becoming experts in this very bad practice and that could be a habit if it is not checked.
I do not understand why a student does not understand a particular topic would not seek help from the teachers or mates who do well in the subject before the scheduled time for the examination but choose to cheat to perform well. No student should sit unconcerned when he/she has difficulty with schoolwork but should work to improve his/her lot.
Sometimes when students cheat during exams at school they do so at their own risk in the sense that the teacher is made to believe everyone has understood the topic and, thus, moves on to other topics.
Examination malpractices are having negative effects on both individuals and the country at large. For instance, last year, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) withheld the results of 2,769 candidates, and 77 schools were affected. It was an embarrassment and worry to parents and students.
If students continue to cheat without being caught, they end up in professions that they are not fit for. I do not think anyone in this country would like to be operated upon by a surgeon who cheated in exams to get his/her certificate.
It is a shame and really sad to note that a large number of candidates cheat in their final exams after many years of studies. I urge all my mates who would be writing the BECE in the next few days to make hay while the sun is still shining.
We must do so to perform remarkably and not resort to cheating when the exam is in session.
My advise is for each one of us to be honest young people in order to grow into honest adults. On this note, I would want everyone who agrees with me to join me to say, “With God, the impossible is possible.” Amen!!. All the best to all BECE candidates.