Corrupt Academic Practices: A Tragedy in Nigerian Educational System.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to x-ray corrupt academic practices which, advertently or inadvertently, has plunged Nigerian educational system into a tragic situation of endemicity of examination malpractices and other examination vices. The paper pointed out the neglect of the use of continuous assessment and total dependence on terminal examination which has been seen as the stigma to corrupt academic practices in Nigeria. This work alarmed that if nothing is done to correct the menace of academic corruption the educational system will continue to produce weak primary and secondary education, half baked grandaunts, poor tertiary education, decline of roles of universities, especially in the area of scientific research development, mass failure, examination as source of income through given cost intensive examination (e.g. UME, PUME, WAEC and NECO). The authors, therefore, suggest urgent steps to be taken which includes amendment of section 1, sub-section 9 (g) of the National Policy on Education that gives room for academic corruption with a focus to abolish terminal examinations and promotion examination and rather accommodate fully the use of well developed uniform standard of continuous assessment. It is a high time we need an adequate means to evaluate and assess our pupils/ students who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Key words: academic corruption, examination malpractice, continuous assessment, National Policy on Education (NPE), Terminal examination.