One may wonder why examination malpractice still persist in our tertiary institutions despite the various actions taken to stop it. What is the root cause? This is important because dealing with the root cause will be more effective. I keep wondering - ''what are the things that prompts students to indulge in examination malpractice?" I tried to come up with some below :
(1) unrealistic expectation by lecturers.
Why set questions with the intention to punish your students? Yes, this is done by some lecturers! Some think that this will make them to be feared and respected. Some students in search of solution take to cheating. Also when the work load is much or poorly taught by the lecturer, it only pushes students to seek for other means to pass.
(2) Poor examination invigilation.
When the invigilator leaves the examination hall while the examination is still on, is like telling the students that ''the coast is clear for cheating". Cheating can still occur if the
invigilator is not watching the students well.
(3) Inadequate seat spacing
It is said that the ''ability of monkey to jump is supported by the closeness of the tree branches" With enough seat spacing, copying from each other is impossible, despite how long your neck might be.
(4) Quest for high grade
When the expectation of getting a good grade is not being actualized by their personal effort, this frustration lead some to indulge in cheating. This is fueled by the high relevance placed on good grades in our tertiary institutions. When students with 2.1 and above are the only benefiary of many awards and scholarship, then everybody strive by all means to get it. The discrimination in the labour market is also worthy of note. In many cases students with poor grades are not given any opportunity, they are not even allowed to apply most times. What a discrimination! Some parents also put their children on pressure with words like - ''you must get at least a 2.1". ''don't allow my money to be waisted on poor grade". You are only telling the student to get such grade by all means.
(5) Lack of adequate preparation
What makes a student afraid or gets sick when exam approaches? I think it is lack of preparation! These set of students don't attend class regularly or play with their study time, only to be looking for a short cut to passing the examination. Lack of preparation has been a major cause of cheating.
(6) Inadequate punishment for those involved.
There may be punishment actions, but if it is not enforced the aim is defeated. When those who indulge in this act are left off the hook with no reasonable punishment, you are indirectly inviting others to join.
Therefore to curb examination malpractice, the fight must be fought wholelystically with all stakeholders involved.