Exam Ethics and Economic Sustainability Nexus: The Case of Nigeria
Keywords:
Exam ethics,, Economic sustainability,, Exam malpractice,, Examination and Economic infrastructure.Abstract
Economic sustainability involves the optimal use of resources which requires the adoption of an efficient and effective economic infrastructure programme. Economic infrastructure in itself connotes a complex of structures, physical and institutional designed for the sustainability of a given system. At the heart of all economic infrastructure programme is the application of time tested knowledge. The acquisition and application of such knowledge requires individuals with integrity whose knowledge capability have been tested through standard examinations. However, the increasing incidence of unethical practices in relation to examinations in Nigeria makes the application of acquired knowledge unreliable and casts doubt on the quality of education in the country and the reliability of Nigerian certificates. Moreover, the ranking of Nigeria as number one on the world’s exam malpractice index in 2012 and the fact that an average of ₦25billion per annum is generated from exam malpractice is a serious cause for concern with implications for sustainable economic development. It is capable of distorting macroeconomic stability and contributing to the social ills of unemployment if left unaddressed. The objective of the research is to highlight the economic implications of unethical practices relating to examinations in Nigeria. Using analytic reasoning, the research found that unethical behaviours relating to exams in Nigeria is capable of adversely affecting the financial system, distorting macroeconomic stability and contributing to unemployment. The research recommends that the craze for certificate acquisition must be de-emphasized and recognition be given to proven time-tested knowledge. There is also the need for all to abide by exam ethics and for the government to support the acquisition and application of standard knowledge through advance learning.
References
Adeyemi, J. and Akindele, I. (2002). Examination Malpractices in Nigeria Educational System: Causes, Effects and the Way Out. Nigerian. Journal of Clinical and Counselling Psychology, 14(1).
Alutu, A.N.G. and Aluede, O.O. (2005). The Role of Counselling in dealing with Examination Malpractice and Ethics. Revisita esparola, De-orientacion y pscio pedagogia Spain 16 (2) 188 – 197.
Awanbor, D. (2004). Examination Malpractice and the Degenerative Effects on Quality of Education Examination/Assessment and Certification.
Badejo, A.O. and Gandonu, M.B. (2012). Predisposing factors towards examination malpractice among students in Lagos universities: Implications for counselling. Online publication, retrieved on 10th, Nov. 2013
Barnard, H.C. and Lanwerys, J.A. (1967). A Hand Book of Educational Terms. The Free Press. London, UK. p.96
Collins Concise Dictionary. 21st Century Edition (2001). Glasgow: Harper & Collins Publishers.
Daily Trust, (2012). Exam malpractice in Nigeria has become so lucrative and generates 25billion per annum, July 2012.
Denga, D. I. & Denga, H.M. (1998). Educational Malpractice and Cultism in Nigeria. Calabar: Rapid Educational Publishers Ltd.
De Russy, C (2003) Professional ethics begin on the College Campus. Chronicles of higher education, 50(4) B20
Exam Malpractice Act of Nigeria (1992)
Good, C. V. (1973). Dictionary of Education.3rd ed., Mc-Graw Hills, New York.pp.222-223.
Nsude, I. (1998). Principles and Practice of Education (Education I). Enugu: Hillys Press Nigeria Ltd.
Nweze T. (2012). Management of Examination: Ethical Issues
Obimba, F.U. (1989). Fundamentals of Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology. Nigeria: Totan Publishers Limited.
Okwu, O. J. (2006). A Critique of Students’ Vices and the Effect on Quality of Graduates of Nigeria Tertiary Institutions. Retrieved from http://www.krepublishers.com/02- journal on 16th Oct., 20
Onuka, A.O.U. and Amusan, M.A. (2008). Causes, effects and probable solutions to examination malpractices: A case study of the West Examinations.
Philemon, A. O. (2007). The Menace called Examination Malpractice in Nigeria. Retrieved from http://meaningfulquota.bloghi.com on 14th Oct., 2008
Salami, B. A. (1994). Examination Malpractice and the Integrity of Educational Credentials. Paper presented at the 12th Annual Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) September 19th – 21st Accra, Ghana.
Sooze, S. (20O4). Way out of examination malpractices. Daily Times. May 29.
Suleman, Q., Gul, R., Ambrin, S. & Kamran, F. (2015). Factors Contributing to Examination Malpractices at Secondary School Level in Kohat Division, Pakistan. Journal of Education and Learning, 9(2) pp. 165-182.
The New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language (1992)
Wilayat, M. (2009). Causes of Examination Malpractice/Unfair means: Educational Awareness and Research, I.E.R, University of Peshawar.
