Pragmatic Techniques of Curbing Examination Malpractices in Secondary Schools in Nigeria

This paper is concerned with pragmatic techniques of curbing examination malpractices in Nigerian secondary schools. Annually, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) withholds and cancels thousands of students’ results as a result of examination malpractices. The concept and forms of examination malpractices are discussed in this paper. Causes of examination malpractices are traced to students, teachers, parents and examination officers. Low intellectual ability, poor attitude to learning, peer pressure, crave for dishonest gains, parental pressure and laxity on external supervisor’s part are some specific causes. The resultant effects include loss of credibility of certificates and blacklisting of schools. Recommendations are made on pragmatic ways of curbing the menace. These include Personal determination, Values education training, orientation for parents, use of computer-based tests and biometric verification.

Keywords: Examination, Malpractice, School, Pragmatic, Curbing, Techniques