Abstract

This study titled “Environmental Factors and Examination Malpractice in the Muyuka Municipality” was aimed at investigating the extent to which examination malpractice can be resolved in the secondary educational system  of  Cameroon  at  large  and  Muyuka Sub – division in particular.

Indicators of environmental factors were location of a school the nature of the examination, and the invigilator or student ratio. A questionnaire was used to analyze the data, and it was also administered in three different schools in the Muyuka Sub- division namely: Government Bilingual High School, Fess Technical and Commercial High School and Vocational School of Art and Technology all in Muyuka.

50 questionnaires were administered to the students of the above mentioned schools and data were analyzed descriptively. Finding reveal that the location of school in a rural area or hinterland,  where majority of the area are not easily accessible to external invigilators and law enforcement officers leads to examination malpractice.         The finding also reveals that the nature of exam affects exam malpractice.

The conduct of examination: internal or external, oral or written is governed by various rules and regulations and these rules and regulations are determined by the various bodies that conduct the examination. Any attempt against these rules and regulations are treated as exam malpractice. Equally, it was realized that the invigilators or student ratio affects examination malpractice. Failure to recruit supervisors in an examination will lead to serious cheating due to the fact that the number of students will outnumber the invigilators in the examination hall.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the study

Examination is the main source through which the knowledge and skills acquired is determined in the school. It is organized in order to evaluate assess and test the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains of the learners. In the past examination were strictly and ethically conducted, but these days there are lapses in the system resulting in to examination malpractice among students.

Evidence abounds of increasing incidents of cheating in examination by students at school, colleges, which conflict with the core purpose of education. Murdock, Hale and Weber, (2001) defined examination malpractice as any wrong doing before, during or after any examination. Fasasi (2008). Salami (1994) defined examination malpractice as an improper and dishonest act associated with examination with the view of obtaining an unmerited advantage.

Omotosho (1990) sees examination malpractice as dishonest use of position of trust for personal gain. Centre for academic integrity (2007) defined examination malpractice as dishonest behaviour related to academic achievement that includes any form of advantage by a student over the others.

Oloruntoba (2002) refers to examination malpractice as all forms of cheating during an examination which covers the leakage of question papers, provision of answers during an examination. The effect of examination malpractice has grave consequences on the individual and institutions of learning, communities and the country as a whole.

Dismissal, termination, loss of position and self-confidence and have brought much embarrassment and suffering to individuals, families and communities. It also leads to loss of credibility. A country that is ranked high in examination malpractice loses international credibility. The implication is that certificate/documents emanating from such country’s educational system will be treated with suspicion and doubt.

Statement of the problem

Nowadays, examination malpractice is becoming a call for concern due to the effects it causes to our educational system. Certain circumstances facilitate   examination malpractice. These include: the crowded nature of the classroom as well as examination halls with few invigilators during examination, poor sitting arrangements, location of examination centers in remote areas where accessibility for thorough supervision is poor, sending examination  papers  before the exam day and  students entering exam halls without being search . Therefore, this study is aimed at carrying out an in-depth investigation on factors that enhance or facilitate examination malpractice in the Muyuka sub- division.

Purpose of the study

The study aims at finding out the environmental factors that promote examination malpractice in secondary school in Muyuka subdivision.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the study aims to find out the following

1. If the location of a school promotes /hinders examination malpractice
2. If the nature of the examination promotes/ hinders examination malpractice
3. If the invigilate-student ratio promotes/hinders examination malpractices

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