Similoluwa Ayibiowu & Precious Orunduyi

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Educationists in Ondo State have raised concerns over the alarming increase in examination malpractices among students in schools across the country.

In separate  interviews with The Hope during the weekend, they attributed this trend to students’ growing love for money, laziness and a general lack of interest in academic excellence.

Mr Victor Oluwadunsin, a secondary school teacher, cited fear of failure and lack of preparation by students, alongside poor supervision and parental pressure as reasons why examination malpractice has continued unabatedly.

He further emphasised the need for government to rise up and  curb the practice by ensuring thorough supervision during examinations and emplacing severe penaltes for defaulters.

Dr Adebowale Akinbami, a university lecturer, highlighted that teachers and students are critical players in this practice and traced it to the large scale corruption in the country.

“Merit is no longer prioritised in the appointment of principal officers for our tertiary institutions, appointment of lecturers, and by extension admission of students into higher institutions. Parents too prefer to pay their way through for their wards to pass the required examinations,” he said.

Akinbami stressed the need for government to ensure that merit determines the recruitment of officers for institutions and ensure good funding for the educational sector.

He also noted that admission process should be made to be more rigorous, so that only the best find their way into higher institutions.