Pupils’ Perceptions on Examination Malpractice at Secondary School Level in Lusaka District of Zambia: Causes and Solutions
- January 27, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Education, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VIII, Issue I, January 2021 | ISSN 2321–2705
Siamunako S. Albert1 and Magasu Oliver2
1Examinations Council of Zambia
2Kwame Nkrumah University
Abstract:- The continued occurrence of examination malpractice globally has been of great concern to all education stakeholders. Considering the gravity and continuous occurrence of examination malpractice at secondary school level in Zambia, this study sought to investigate pupils’ perceptions on the causes and solutions to examination malpractice at secondary school level in Lusaka district of Zambia. The population of this study included all pupils in 10 selected government run secondary schools in Lusaka district. The study sample consisted of 300 pupils randomly selected. 30 pupils were selected from 10 schools. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire that was constructed by the researcher. The study revealed that examination malpractice in secondary schools take the form of leakage, collusion, computer system, external assistance, smuggling, impersonation, substitution and examiner malpractice. Leakage, computer system, smuggling and collusion were identified as forms of examination malpractice that frequently occur while impersonation, substitution, examiner malpractice and external assistance occur least. The study also revealed that school, teacher, societal and pupil factors were the major causes of examination leakages. This revelation agrees with the theoretical framework of the study which identified that the unethical examination management practices of teachers, school administrators, parents, pupils and any other stakeholder in the examination management results into examination leakages. The results further revealed that pre-examination ethics were more desirable and the best way to control cheating amongst pupils. This study recommends punitive punishment to anyone who would engage in examination malpractice.
Key words: Examination; Malpractice; Leakage; Perceptions; Secondary School
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
According to Oduwaiye (2014) an examination is an organized assessment technique which presents individuals with a series of questions or tasks geared towards ascertaining the individual acquired knowledge and skills. Hence the terms assessment and examinations may often be used interchangeably. However, although the meaning of these terms are similar, assessment is a much broader term, and it includes tests and examinations. Ogunji (2011) describes it (examination) as the assessment of a testee’s performance when confronted with series of tasks, questions, problems or situations in order to ascertain the amount of knowledge he/she has developed. These forms of assessment were used by the great universities of medieval Europe to examine their pupils. By 1599, the Jesuits had introduced written examinations into their school system with relevant rules and regulations. However, the development of modern examination, as it is known today, is credited to the Oxford University via its examination statute of 1800
