It is an understatement to say that examination malpractice has become the order of the day during examinations in Nigeria.
This cankerworm has wreaked havoc in the education sector that the learning process is devoid of seriousness on the part of our students in our schools, especially primary and secondary schools.
They believe in the power of the almighty “Orijo” during the exam instead of burning the night candle. This has become a food for thought for all the stakeholders in the education sector to nip in the bud.
The examining bodies have taken some steps in the past to curb this anomaly, but recorded little success. In 2019, many schools were indicted across the country and fined a certain amount of money, but this only has a minute effects on examination malpractice in the subsequent years.
The recent steps taken by WAEC now might be a game changer and reduce malpractice to the nearest minimum.
The introduction of customised questions for candidates, which means that the candidates will be attempting different questions for the same subject, might make it difficult for malpractice to take place, as it would be difficult to find solutions to all the questions within the speculated time for the paper.
WAEC has decided that English, Biology, Economics and Mathematics both the questions papers and the OMR sheets shall be customised with the candidates’ information.
Also, blank question and answer booklets shall be provided where necessary for any missing candidate who officially registered for the paper.
It is also decided that CBT exam will commence in 2026 among other steps taken to eradicate exam malpractice.
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board introduced this some years back and the body recorded a lot of success. Examination malpractice has reduced drastically in JAMB exams since CBT was introduced.
I use this medium to call on stakeholders in the education sector to wake up from their slumber and take their responsibilities for the process to work harmoniously and record success. This will go a long way in providing a conducive atmosphere for learning and ultimately solve any problem in education including exam malpractice. The three major stakeholders are the government, the parents, and the teachers.
Government’s responsibilities
Education is widely recognised as the cornerstone of national development. In Nigeria, where millions of children rely on public schools for basic learning, the government plays a vital role as a stakeholder in ensuring that primary and secondary education meet the needs of every child, regardless of background.
Policy and regulation
One of the government’s key responsibilities is to establish policies and frameworks that guide the education sector. Through agencies like the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the government develops curricula, sets academic standards, and enforces regulations across both public and private schools.
Infrastructure development
A conducive learning environment is essential for quality education. Government investment in the construction and renovation of classrooms, provision of electricity and clean water, and access to learning technologies helps ensure that schools are not just places of instruction, but safe and functional spaces for growth and development. Provision of CBT centres in all public schools across the country is now imperative with the introduction of CBT exam by WAEC. The federal government should take it has a special intervention and build CBT centres in all public schools in Nigeria.
Teacher recruitment and development
Teachers are the backbone of the education system. Government should make sure that qualify teachers are recruited from time to time to address the shortage of qualified educators. This also contributes to exam malpractice when there are no teachers for some subjects, and the students want to pass the subject at all cost. Beyond hiring, the government also supports continuous training and professional development to enhance teaching quality in classrooms.
Ensuring quality and accountability
To maintain educational standards, quality assurance departments at the federal and state levels regularly monitor schools. These monitoring should not be to intimidate the teachers, but to correct them if there is any lapses.
Government agencies also support national examination bodies such as WAEC and NECO to uphold academic integrity. These efforts are complemented by policies aimed at improving school performance and learner outcomes.
The parents’ responsibilities
In the discourse of educational development in Nigeria, much attention is often given to the roles of government agencies, teachers, and school administrators. However, one stakeholder group that cannot be overlooked is parents.
As the first educators and lifelong influencers of children, parents play a vital role in shaping the quality and outcomes of primary and secondary school education in Nigeria.
Active participation in the learning process rocess
One of the foremost responsibilities of parents is to actively participate in their children’s learning. This includes helping with homework, attending parent-teacher meetings, and monitoring academic progress. When parents show consistent interest in their children’s education, it not only motivates the students but also helps teachers to better understand and support each child.
Providing basic learning resources
In many Nigerian schools, especially public ones, resources can be limited. Parents are often required to supplement these by providing textbooks, writing materials, school uniforms, and sometimes even contributing to school infrastructure. These investments are essential to ensure that students have a conducive learning environment.
Instilling discipline and values
While schools have codes of conduct and disciplinary systems, the foundation of a child’s behaviour and values begins at home. Parents must instill discipline, responsibility, and respect for learning. Children who are taught time management, honesty, and respect for authority at home are more likely to thrive academically and socially in school.
Supporting school development initiatives
Parents, through Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), are expected to collaborate with school management in decision-making and school development projects. This could include contributing to building projects, school security arrangements, or funding extracurricular programs. When parents take these roles seriously, schools become stronger and more accountable institutions.
Advocating quality education
Parents also have a role to play in advocating for better policies, improved infrastructure, and qualified teachers. As primary stakeholders, they must not be passive observers but active voices calling for educational reform and accountability from both public and private institutions.
Monitoring social and moral influences
In today’s world, students are exposed to a wide range of social influences, both positive and negative. Parents must monitor their children’s peer groups, internet usage, and general behaviour. By guiding them through moral and social development, parents complement the formal education they receive in schools.
The success of any education system depends heavily on the involvement of its key stakeholders, and parents are central to this structure. Their responsibilities extend beyond financial support to include emotional, moral, and intellectual investment in their children’s growth. For Nigeria to achieve sustainable progress in primary and secondary education, parents must rise to the occasion and embrace their full roles as partners in education. Their commitment and collaboration with educators and policymakers will be crucial in shaping a more vibrant and effective educational system.
The responsibilities of teachers
Teachers are the cornerstone of any functional educational system. In Nigeria’s primary and secondary education sectors, they play a critical role not just as facilitators of knowledge, but as mentors, role models, and nation-builders.
As frontline stakeholders, their responsibilities go beyond classroom instruction. They are central to shaping the minds, values, and future of the nation.
Ironically, this essential stakeholder is at the receiving end when other stakeholders fail in their responsibilities, because they are directly responsible to the students.
Delivering quality instruction
At the heart of a teacher’s duty is the delivery of quality instruction that aligns with national curricula and global educational standards. Teachers must prepare lesson plans, use appropriate teaching methods, and adapt to students’ varying learning needs. They are expected to present information clearly, stimulate critical thinking, and ensure that learning outcomes are achieved.
Mentoring and guiding students
Teachers are mentors and guides who help students develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally. In a country like Nigeria where many children face socio-economic challenges, teachers often step into the role of counselors, helping students navigate personal struggles and offering encouragement when home support is limited.
Upholding professional ethics and integrity
Teachers are expected to maintain high ethical standards. This includes punctuality, discipline, honesty, and impartiality. They must avoid favoritism, examination malpractice, or any form of exploitation. By modeling integrity, they not only earn respect but also instill these values in their students.
Continuous professional development
In an ever-changing world, teachers must be lifelong learners. It is their responsibility to stay updated with modern teaching techniques, new subject knowledge, and digital tools. Attending workshops, obtaining certifications, and engaging in peer learning are all essential to maintaining relevance and effectiveness in the classroom.
Assessing and reporting progress
Teachers are tasked with regularly evaluating student performance through tests, assignments, and observations. Accurate and timely feedback helps identify learning gaps and allows for tailored interventions. Moreover, clear communication with parents and school administrators about student progress is vital for collaborative educational success.
Creating safe and inclusive learning environment
It is the duty of teachers to create classrooms that are safe, respectful, and inclusive. This means promoting tolerance, discouraging bullying, and ensuring that every child, regardless of gender, ability, or background, feels valued and supported. A positive learning environment is fundamental to academic success.
Participating in school and community development
Teachers must actively engage in school development initiatives and community outreach. Whether through participation in school management committees, leading extracurricular activities, or collaborating with parents and local leaders, teachers play a key role in fostering strong school-community ties.
Advocating better educational standards
Teachers, through unions and professional associations, have a responsibility to advocate for better working conditions, improved infrastructure, and quality education policies. Their informed voices can drive reforms and influence decisions that affect the entire education system. Well remunerated teachers will be an advocate of better educational standards, hence, teachers should be well paid.
Teachers are not merely employees within the educational sector; they are nation-builders whose work lays the foundation for a better Nigeria. Their responsibilities, though demanding, are essential for the growth and development of the country’s future leaders.
As WAEC prepares to improve educational outcomes of the students through various measures, the dedication, competence, and active involvement of teachers must remain a national priority. Empowering teachers is not just an investment in the education system, it is an investment in the future of the nation.
In conclusion, we can see that most of these responsibilities which are germane to solving any educational problem, including exam malpractice are not being performed. For the success of the steps taken by WAEC and that of our students, the stakeholders should be proactive and alive to their responsibilities.
WAEC should also scrutinise their officers to identify the bad ones among them. Without an internal connection, the questions cannot leak to the public. This contributes greatly to examination malpractice.