National President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Muhammed Ibn Musa, has decried the rising cases of examination mal-practice in the country saying, “it is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society.”
Musa in a press statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, stated that the social malady dates to many years ago.
The ANCOPSS boss stated, “Examination malpractice is a Cankerworm that has bedevilled our nation for a long time. It dates back to many years ago and has continued to gain wide patronage as the years pass by.”
He said that the ugly development, “calls for serious concerns if we must maintain the integrity and validity of our assessment process and certification.”
According to him, “The battle against examination malpractice should be fought with vigour to bring the monster to a halt.”
His words: “It is very worrisome that rather than abating, examination malpractice has continued to gain wide acceptance. This of course has attendant consequences on individuals, institutions and society as a whole.
“Desperate efforts by goverments and stakeholders to discourage examination malpractice have not yeilded the desired results, rather the perpetrators of this malady have always sought new ways to prosecute their evil agenda.
“Various examination bodies in the country have introduced different methods to stem the tide in order to give credibility to their examinations.
“The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) introduced Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in some subjects (English Language & Mathematics inclusive) in the west African Senior Schools Certificate Examination (WASCE) 2005.
“The results released recently, was greeted with outcry in many quarters especially as many candidates were taken aback by the introduction of CBT.
“The performance of candidates in English Language and Mathematics reflects the impact of the innovation by WAEC.
“CBT came with teething challenges but those who prepared adequately for the examination celebrated while those who employed underhand means starred in utter disbelief and disapproval.
“Successive governments in Nigeiria have never compromised in matters of examination malpractice.
“Honouiable Minister of Education, Dr. Moroof Tunji Alausa, has left no doubt in his commitment to impact positively on the education sector. His passion and drive serve as inspiration to examination bodies in the country to want to act with integrity and dignity.
On ANCOPSS, Musa explained that it is a stakeholder in education in Nigeria, stressing that the body, which sits in the council of examination bodies like WAEC and NECO amongst others, advises government on matters of policy formulations as they concern education in Nigeria.
The ANCOPSS President, therefore, commended the authorities for the introduction of CBT in WASSCE 2025, adding that it is in the right direction, for many clandestine moves were not only frustrated but also checkmated.
“Other examination bodies are enjoined to come up with proactive measures that will give credibility to their examinations.
“ANCOPSS, he said, maintains a clear and unequivocal stand, emphasising, “we will stand by examination bodies in their quest to make legitimate moves toward getting it right.
“The die is cast! All hands must be on deck to ensure credibility of our examinations so that Nigeria can truly boast of credible education, assessment and certification. This is one sure way to nip in the bud, catastrophe waiting to happen.
