Community role in blocking exam cheats
Published On October 15, 2014 » 1982 Views» By Administrator Times » Features
 0 stars
Register to vote!

By CHARLES SIMENGWA –

THE recent riots by some pupils in Kitwe over ‘fake’ leaked examination papers may suggest that cheating one’s way to the next rung of the education ladder has reached dizzying heights in Zambia.
Despite the various punitive measures introduced by education and other authorities, the sanctity of examinations is still being breached at an alarming rate by pupils – and students – desperate to score higher grades.
This is a trend that may represent a swapping of complexity for simplicity, as some pupils do not seem eager to invest quality time in studying and yet they aspire for superior qualifications.
They are far removed from the realities of life, and their links with education have turned out to be, at best, tenuous.
But more than a disaster for schools infested with treacherous pupils, prolonged examination malpractices may debilitate Zambia’s education sector and ultimately diminish its contribution to national development.
The profanity with which the Grade 12 pupils at Helen Kaunda, Kitwe Boys and Mukuba secondary schools protested at what turned out to be a false ‘leaked’ Biology Paper One examination is indicative of the harmful elements swarming over impressionable school-going children.
It is worrisome that the pupils at the centre of this irreverent behaviour came from schools which in the past were symbols of excellence, and have produced brilliant scholars who have left indelible marks in different fields.
Such a surge in pupil misconduct, which is now escalating into riots, calls for re-examination of the conditions needed to foster a better image for the education sector.
The crisis has grown so dire that community involvement should no longer be questioned.

. Rev Chilombo

. Rev Chilombo

United Church of Zambia Northrise Congregation minister-in-charge, Mwape Musonda-Chilombo deplores the malpractices in examinations which she fears may result in widespread ramifications for the education sector in particular, and Zambia as a whole.
Reverend Chilombo, in a recent sermon in Ndola under the theme ‘Ultimate incentive’, said colourful results obtained in sacrilegious, or ungodly, ways are nothing more than a mere puff of the wind because they do not hold any value. The sermon was anchored on Matthew 25:23, Galatians 5:22, and Revelations 2:10 from the Holy Bible.
She warned that being dishonest in examinations may fuel “a lifestyle driven by cheating at every stage”.
She observed that the high failure rate among some college and university students, especially in the first year, and poor workplace performance remain the soft underbelly of those who depend on underhand methods to pass examinations.
Rev Chilombo said individuals who bribe their way through the education system also risk becoming virtual slaves of the people who help them engage in fraudulent behaviour.
This counsel is perhaps inspired by her favourite quote from William Feather: “In education it isn’t how much you have committed to memory or even how much you know. It’s being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don’t. It’s knowing where to go and find out what you need to know and how to use the information you get.”
It is important to note that some pupils hanker for superior grades owing to the stiff competition in getting places in higher learning institutions, and they are aided by their parents, teachers and community members who have found an opportunity to earn income through such illegitimate means.
“What bothers me is that parents and teachers are involved in these leakages, a clear indication that we have lost our values and we are only interested in good things which we have not even worked for. We have become a people of shortcuts,” said Rev Chilombo, whose previous sermon was held under the theme ‘Vanishing virtues’.
School authorities have also stepped up sensitisation campaigns to seek ways to end examination malpractices.
A good example is Northrise Basic School in Ndola where an interactive open-air meeting between the school leadership and parents with children in examination classes was held recently.
Deputy head teacher, Mabel Tembo explained to the parents, who were accompanied by their children, the importance of respecting the regulations set by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ).
Ms Tembo expressed worry at the rising cases of cheating and implored the parents and the community in general to partner with school authorities in seeking sustainable solutions to this present-day menace in learning institutions.
The parents and their respective children jointly signed a candidate examinations malpractice declaration form which compels one to abide by the ECZ regulations.
It was a statement to particularly inform the candidates about the consequences of engaging themselves in malpractices or misconduct such as smuggling into the examination room notes, exercise books, cell phones, or any other material that may be used as an aid.
There are also punitive measures for entering the examination room with pre-written answers or formulas on pieces of paper, cloth or any part of the body, just like one would be penalised for copying from another candidate during the examination.
The declaration statement clearly forbids anyone from writing an examination on behalf of another person, and encourages candidates to behave in a manner that would not disrupt the smooth conduct of the examination process.
Refusing to be searched when entering an examination room could similarly attract appropriate sanctions.
“I agree that I will be expelled from the entire examination should I involve myself in any form of malpractices or misconduct.
“I further agree that should I refuse to be searched, I shall not be allowed to write the examination,” concludes the statement.
Against this backdrop, school authorities should not be assailed for sending away pupils who decide to press ahead with their cheating in examinations.
Such engagements with parents and candidates are necessary in view of the seemingly unending examination malpractices despite the punishment some cheats have suffered in the past.
Some penalties which deceitful pupils have been made to bear include the cancellation of results. For example, the ECZ in 2011 nullified results for 311 grade nine and 12 candidates for alleged involvement in examination malpractices the previous year.
While 231 grade 12 candidates had their results cancelled, 80 pupils who wrote their grade nine examinations were disqualified from the whole process.
In addition to the nullification of results in all the subjects, the ECZ imposed some sanctions on the culprits which involved excluding them from writing any examinations conducted by the council for a period of two years.
The nature of malpractices received by the ECZ included receiving assistance from teachers, prior knowledge of the examinations, smuggling of unauthorised materials into examination rooms, collusion by candidates, and impersonation.
In all this, the council did not mask both its disappointment and its fears.
“Examination malpractices have become the most serious problem threatening the entire fabric of our education system.
“The resort to malpractices during examinations is harmful to the moral and intellectual development of our country,” a spokesperson for the ECZ said.
Some pupils and teachers against whom there has been glaring evidence of examination misconduct have even been surrendered to the police for possible prosecution.
Sadly, some pupils have remained intransigent, or decidedly stubborn, and a multi-layered approach to this bothersome matter is, therefore, necessary.
Conrad S. Zygmont, the author of a book carrying the title ‘111 Tips For Becoming a Successful Student’, has shared tips that may be useful for Zambian scholars.
Zygmont, the programme coordinator for the Psychology Department at Helderberg College in Somerset West, South Africa, gives a rundown on opportunities for intellectual growth and personal development for dedicated students.
Recognising that real academic success is about much more than grades, he offers practical advice on, among other rich topics, improving reading skills, becoming a critical thinker, completing assignments, finding a mentor, and preparing for tests and examinations.
He has also dedicated space to important issues such as managing stress and test anxiety, overcoming daily hassles, and dealing with disappointments.
It is evident from Zygmont’s contributions and the ambitious steps some school, church and other community leaders in Zambia are taking that confronting the spectre of examination malpractices requires multi-pronged strategies that could not be left to education authorities alone.

Share this post
Tags

About The Author