The writer
By Isaac Nyarko Antwi
In all academic institutions across the globe, examinations are conducted to measure the depth of knowledge, skills, abilities and competence of learners. The idea behind examination is to assess the learner to determine whether they have understood the concepts taught. Unfortunately, the rate of cheating and examination malpractices in schools these days is alarming.
In recent years, the focus of many learners has completely shifted from genuine passing to the popular mantra “passing the examination at all costs.” Thus, one is not far from right when they say that examination malpractices are the greatest threat to academic integrity. Examination malpractices include acts such as impersonation, copying, leaking of questions and collusion.
Causes of examination malpractices
1. Poor preparation
When the preparation is not good enough, students have no choice but to cheat in the examination. It is said that proper planning prevents pitiful poor performance, and hence, one cannot fail when they prepare effectively for an examination, whether internal or external. Inadequate preparation is often due to learners thriving on procrastination. Thus, delaying the study until the last minute makes it challenging to look at all the topics in a particular subject.
2. Distractions
Social media is one of the root causes of examination malpractices in Ghana and globally. It is true that while technology provides access to academic information, it is also a primary source of distraction. Lack of discipline over the use of social media has resulted in the mass failure of students in sensitive subjects like English language, Science and Mathematics. For learners to avoid cheating in the examination hall, they must embrace the principle of “Digital discipline.” Digital discipline refers to the ability to consciously manage one’s precious time from mobile devices and social media platforms such as WhatsApp, LinkedIn, TikTok and Facebook.
3. Poor health and fatigue
Health challenges can result in examination malpractice. Issues like stress, illness and fatigue can disrupt a student’s learning schedule. Even if the learner has all the learning materials, they may not have the energy to study effectively as they would like. As the exam approaches, those learners whose health has been affected might try to employ shortcuts in the examination hall. Enough rest, early preparation, good medication and stress management are very crucial in reducing this temptation.
4. Overconfidence and peer pressure
Some learners believe too much in themselves, thinking that they virtually know everything. They fail to put in much effort to cover the areas they have been taught. Overconfidence leads to a lack of preparation, and when they finally realize that they have not covered enough areas in their revision exercise, they tend to cheat. Some students also cheat not because they wish to do so but because their friends compel them to participate in group collusion. Developing self-confidence built on preparation and choosing friends wisely are crucial solutions.
5. Inadequate learning resources and support systems
In many schools in Ghana, inadequate textbooks, a lack of a serene environment for studies and a lack of qualified teachers render students vulnerable to failing in their examinations. Without equitable distribution of learning materials, some students, especially those in deprived communities, feel they have been ignored or abandoned by the government and the education ministry. They rationalize exam malpractices as the only means to “bridge the gap.” Policymakers and the stakeholders of education must invest in massive infrastructure development and qualified teachers to guide learners, which motivates them to succeed genuinely.
Solutions and call for integrity
Cheating in examinations is not just a reflection of student behaviour; it exposes the weaknesses in our educational systems, societal values and more importantly, parenting. To surmount this menace:
A. Learners must consciously learn to uphold honesty, integrity, discipline, and consistency over dubious means of getting their way.
B. Teachers must collaborate and instil integrity in the learner by modelling it and creating a supportive teaching and learning environment for them. By this, the learner will understand the need to respect values that are appropriate to be upheld in the school environment.
C. Many parents these days play a leading role in promoting examination malpractices in their wards. The kind of pressure they mount on young learners is incredibly overwhelming – the expectation is too much. Parents must entreat their wards to work assiduously rather than demand grades at all costs.
D. Policy makers and schools must do their best to tighten supervision, provide resources and empower the various counselling units in our schools to help students navigate their learning challenges and help them cope with academic pressure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cheating in examinations is a challenge that requires collective effort to combat this social canker. It is a deep obstacle that stems from poor preparation, social media distractions and mobile phone use, overconfidence, inadequate learning resources, stress, fatigue, and health challenges, among several others. If Ghana were serious about raising a future generation that values integrity and honesty, we would go beyond grades. Legitimate education is not just passing examinations by all means; it is about character building, discipline, integrity and hard work.
The writer, Isaac Nyarko Antwi, is a teacher with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
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