National Examination Misconduct: Magnitude and Perceived Determinants in Secondary and Preparatory Schools of Bale and West Arsi Zones

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to assess experiences of teachers on national examination cheating encounter and its perceived predictors. We employed Institution based cross-sectional design which was supplemented by qualitative data to address the research objectives.  Data was collected from 488 teachers via pretested questionnaire besides, interview and focus group discussion guides which were held with key informants. Before starting data collection process ethical approval letter was obtained from research ethical approval committee. Likewise, verbal consent was obtained from study participants and their confidentiality was kept as the received data used only for research purpose. To address the first objective pie chart was used while multivariate binary logistic regression was computed for the second objective this was via using SPSS version 21. For qualitative data, thematic analysis was done and finally the two data were merged together. The results reveled that about 346 (70.9%) of the study participants were reported as they came across national examination cheating during 2014 and 2015 academic years. Perception of teachers with regard to absence of conducive examination room (AOR= .119, 95%CI= (.039, .37)), presence of social linkage (AOR= .27, 95%CI (.12, .615)), poor examination supervision (P-value= 0.05)), parental pressure (AOR= 3.49, 95%CI (.1.16, 10.54) were predispose for national examination cheating. Furthermore, the qualitative result suggested many more determinants in addition to the above findings. Finally, the findings suggested that Provision of optimum finance for examination bodies and availing sufficient logistics like transportation facility is very critical and strong supervision system should be established by zonal and district educational offices.

Keywords: Ethiopia, national examination cheating, magnitude, determinants    

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-31-02

Publication date: November 30^th 2019