In a bold move against examination malpractice, Kakalistiq.com reports that the Lagos State Government will no longer tolerate examination malpractice. The Hon. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education of Lagos State, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has issued a stern warning to schools across the state.
This follows a reaction to cases of examination malpractice presented in a lecture by the guest speaker, Associate Professor Nosiru Onibon, and a morality poem rendered by students addressing the societal menace of immorality during the Y2023 Lagos State Education District III Teachers Merit Award ceremony held in Epe on Thursday, January 11th, 2024.
Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, the Commissioner’s representative and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, emphasized that the state will no longer tolerate examination malpractice. Any principal found guilty will face demotion to the position of classroom teacher, according to his statement on Thursday.
“We issued a cheque to WAEC on your behalf. Those of you that got engaged in examination malpractice, this year, some have been caught again. We’ve written our report and forwarded it to the TG/PS that they should sanction the respective principals.
“But we are going to be specific on our prayers now. Our prayers will be that whoever, any principal caught in examination malpractice will be demoted. That principal will be demoted. That principal will go back to become a classroom teacher. It is high time we visited the hammer of discipline in our schools,” he said.
Highlighting the consequences, Abolaji revealed that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had fined 25 schools involved in malpractice a total of 500,000. The Ministry, burdened by such fines, paid NGN250,000 the previous week after negotiating with WAEC. Abolaji issued a strong warning, stating, “It is high time we visited the hammer of discipline on our schools.”
The official urged all stakeholders to collaborate in curbing the menace, emphasizing that examination malpractice should not become a culture in schools. He noted that the leadership of the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, strongly opposed the hefty fines imposed on schools, suggesting the need for sourcing effective invigilators and supervisors outside the school to prevent such embarrassment.
Earlier in his address, Abolaji outlined the essential qualities required to attain the position of TG/PS, emphasizing diligence, discipline, and ethics. Drawing inspiration from religious texts and cultural idioms, he challenged principals to envision themselves as potential TG/PS and join hands to eradicate examination malpractice from the education system.
