The campaign against examination malpractices has received a boost as the Exams Ethics Marshals International takes campaign to higher institutions across the country.
Exams Ethics Marshals are education stakeholders committed to code of ethical self-regulation and discipline to combat examination malpractice and academic dishonesty in institutions of learning.
Speaking during the induction ceremony of selected staff and students as Exams Ethics Marshals at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, the Chairman, Exams Ethics Marshal International, Mr. Ike Onyechere, said that the current reality was that it was now beyond the capacity of any particular government, an examination board, a regulator, an institution and one individual to combat examination malpractices considering the pervasiveness, scope, scale and complexity it has assumed.
“It calls for serious countervailing organisation of ethics-friendly individuals, institutions and governments working together in the best tradition of collective responsiblity and effort. It is for this reason the movement is building a network of partners, facilitators and supporters,” he said.
Stating the reason for taking the campaign to higher institutions, the convener said the marshals were inducted as members of Exams Ethics Marshals Movements with responsibility to actively promote the implementation of the policy of best practices and zero tolerance for exam malpractices in the college and beyond.
He also explained that Exam Ethics students were trained and mentored by Exam Ethics Marshals to work hard to excel in examinations, based on ethics complaint principles, to have zero tolerance for malpractice, dishonesty, corruption and cultism.
“The training empowered staff with knowledge, capacity and skills for administration of credible examinations based on global best practices in addition to equipping them with best practices reference and operational literature for the performance of their duties,” he said.
Onyechere disclosed that the inauguration of the operational chapter of the body in Yabatech confirmed the rector’ s commitment to the policy of zero tolerance for examination malpractices.
Responding on behalf of the rector, the Deputy Rector, Administration, Dr. Omobayo Raheem, said examination malpractices had become a canker worm affecting the nation and if not curbed, it might degenerate to corruption as the students graduated from higher institutions.
“This is a problem we need to stamp out, the root of the problem need to be found so that we can nip it in the bud so that Nigeria will be better,” he said.
He commended the movement for their interest in producing sound graduates that would develop the country and curb corruption now affecting the country.
A total of 30 staff and 30 students of the institution were inducted at the ceremony with the Rector, Dr. Kudirat Ladipo, conferred with the Exam Ethics Chief Master Marshal Award at the ceremony.
Before Yaba College of Technology, the body was at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, where 150 academic staff were inducted.
