NOA still fighting examination malpractice in Nigerian schools

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said it is still carrying out programmes to tackle examination malpractices among students.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, NOA Director-General, Mike Omeri, said the agency's campaign has been extended to the grass roots.

"We have taken the programmes to the grass roots to inculcate positive values in the students especially those in secondary schools and tertiary institutions," Omeri said.

“So far, we have worked with principals of secondary schools; we also encourage our staff to give talks during PTA meetings in schools across the country."

The Director General said it is hoped that parents will key into the program and help instill morals into their wards.

“We hope that such talks will help parents to discuss the value of doing things right and avoid conniving with their children and wards to cheat in examinations," he added.

“This is because if a student cheats in an examination, it means he or she will, most likely, cheat in bigger responsibilities outside the classroom."

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He promised that the agency will not relent in its efforts.

“This is an effort that we will endeavor to sustain; we don’t believe in touch-and-go kind of approach to solving these kinds of problems.

“We believe in a comprehensive and sustained action to ensure that the values of our society remain the beckon that direct the hope for change, progress and growth."

Examination malpractice is a common problem in the Nigerian education system.

For example, in the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), 118,101 are being investigated for participating in examination malpractices.