Scrutinizing the Moral Standard and Ethical Implications of Students’ Involvement in the Examination Malpractice in Lagos State

Abstract

Examination malpractices have been identified with such names as: the monster, national disease, national disgrace, a cancer in educational underbelly etc. in the Nigeria context. Educational malpractices which began as isolated cases of examination leakage and other malpractices in all institutions across the country, have turned out into an avalanche. Thus calling to question, the credibility of admission and assessments based on examinations held within the country. The effect of examination malpractice to the growth and development of our educational has become an eye sore. The tree of examination malpractices has over the years grown gigantic satanic roots spreading its tentacles to even the most revered of Nigeria's institutions and examination bodies. The problem is not just associated with the lower examination bodies like WAEC, JAMB, NECO etc. it is also not a stranger to the higher institutions and other professional examinations such as the medical examinations, the Law school examinations. The most striking issue is that students who are adherents of various beliefs and faiths for example, fanatics who belong to Muslim or Christian religions are often times found to be victims of this moral misconduct. A research survey method was carried out to collect data population, assessment of questions and the opinions of students of the eight (8) faculties within the University of Lagos, Akoka the Mainland Government Area of Lagos State to be able to assess the level of examination malpractices. A total of 400 students were randomly selected from each of the eight faculties of the University to form the bulk of the population or respondents. The subject pool included both male and female, Muslim and Christians students. Both questionnaire and interview were used as research survey method to collect data for assessment of the opinions of the students