Determination of the Functionalities of Public Examinations for Achieving National Transformation in Schools

Abstract

Public examination is a necessary prerequisite for guaranteeing that uniform standard is maintained in the conduct of examinations by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council of Nigeria (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) for certification and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for entry into institutions of higher learning. These exams have been subjected to abuse by exam bodies, school administrators, exam supervisors and invigilators, students and parents thereby corrupting the system and compromising the ideals of government and the society for such exams through malpractices. The current national transformation programme of President Goodluck Jonathan promises to remedy this malady by providing necessary administrative will and capital for infrastructure, facilities, tools and personnel to ensure quality assurance. However, this takes zeal, commitment, discipline and attitudinal change on the part of all stakeholders. This paper therefore explained the concept of public examination, malpractices in public examination, and antecedents to examination malpractices. Also, effects of exam malpractices, the failure of public examinations and the impact of current transformation programme on public examination and then conclusion.

Key Words: Functionalities, Public Examination, National Transformation