CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Education in the general sense covers the whole life of an individual from birth to death or from

infancy to grave, that show that education is as old as the man on the earth. The formal school

system has greatly influenced in its result on the lives of all who passed through it. In Nigeria

before 1840s there was in existence a system of Education. This was broadly traditional,

occupationally oriented and informal apprenticeship system. This type of education as at that

time was relevant to the need of the society. The advent and influence of the Christian

missionary activities affected a change from the informal system of education to the oriented

type of education. Preference was no longer for hard work but acquisition of certificate. Every

achievement became attached to examination and certification.

Examinations played vital roles not only in our educational system but also in the society as a

whole, whereas; preparations need to be prioritized by the examinees before the examination.

The society demands from its members at diversity of specialized function. In Nigerian school

system various forms of examinations were arranged. These are the entrance examinations, the

terminal and promotion examinations, senior school leaving certificate examination and the

degree or Diploma examinations. Students are required to pass any form of examination they

partake in. But, these Days students find various means of achieving success in these

examinations and one of such ways is by cheating in examinations through leakage in

examination papers, impersonation, external assistance, copying, smuggling of foreign materials,

devices).

The fact remains that students’ preparation prior to have fall apart and examination malpractice

has become usual practice in Nigeria. Examination has been recognized as forming the nucleus

of education without which the enterprise will be incomplete. Conclusions by scholars shows

that preparation before examination plays a vital role to writing a hitched-free examinations and

tests. Examinations indicate the extent of factual knowledge acquired by students, predict future

educational achievement and provide a means of selecting suitable candidate for certain

educational course or occupation. One of the principal aim of examination is to assess how much

learning has taken place and to what extent the educational objectives and goals have been

achieved. One serious problem plaguing Nigeria students is the lack of proper preparation

strategies before the examination, and that one serious problem dwindling system of education

today is large examination malpractice coupled with intellectual dishonesty. Students devise as a

daily routine, new tricks to beat genuine supervisors and examiners.

The incidence of examination malpractice is multi-dimensional in nature. Smuggling prepared

notes into examination hall, students insult, embarrass, threaten and even assault invigilators and

supervisors who failed to cooperate with them in their unholy and nefarious acts. Cheating

behavior exhibited by the school is big problem to the society. Schools are recently called upon

to desist from helping their students to perpetrate in examination malpractice. Individuals

however, puts the blame on lack of proper social value system; the high premium attached to

paper qualifications as prerequisites for admission and gainful employment, forgetting that

preparation strategies before the examination is of utmost important in curving or reducing

examination malpractice among Technology Education students and the entire system as whole.
1.2 Statement of the problem

Preparation strategy remained the vital weapon to fight examination woes. However, students of

nowadays lack the preparation techniques while some students dispel the very little one acquired.

The occurrence of examination malpractice at any level of educational stratum possesses the

greatest threat to the validity and reliability of the examination, and consequently the authenticity

and recognition of the certificate issued. The numerous examination reports on malpractice

among Technology Education students in Bayero Univesity Kano over the years have become a

growing concern since cheating is such a longstanding and global problem inherent by human

beings. Effort should therefore be directed towards controlling cheating behaviors and also

finding the possible causes of the problem among Technology Education students in Bayero

University Kano.

1.2 Research Objectives

The objectives of the study include:

1. To determine examination preparation strategies adopted by Technology Education

students in Bayero University Kano.

2. To find out the causes of examination malpractice among Technology Education students

in Bayero University Kano.

3. To investigate the strategies for avoiding examination malpractice among Technology

Education students in Bayero University Kano.

The implementation of this finding will not only expose the extent to which students are

involved in examination malpractice but will also subvert the students into the used various

examination strategies and suggest some remedies or Lasting solutions to academic dishonesty.

The strategies before hand to the students in Technology Education may not be the perfect for

examination preparation. In a nutshell, Technology Education is very peculiar to other domains

or disciplines. Whilst, may require the use of peculiar preparation strategies. For example;

students in Technology Education must write Examination in AutoCAD using a software

application which require the students to be well acquainted with computer and must ensure to

strategize on with computer drill and practice method strategy. Technology Education students

also write examination in Engineering drawing, Building drawing, machine drawing and

Technical drawing. The peculiarity in these courses also has made it mandatory to the

Technology Education students to subvert the common preparation strategies and adopt the

reiterative strategies. Students may also choose to conduct similar but further researches on the

topic. Example, Relationship between examination preparation strategies and examination

malpractices by Technology Education students of Bayero University Kano, effects of proper

examination preparation strategies on students’ academic performance in Technology Education

Bayero University Kano, etc.

The study is also expected to help the lecturers of the department of science and Technology

Education, especially the level coordinators in nurturing the students attitudes towards adopting

the appropriate examination preparation strategies that will be compatible with the uniqueness

and difficulties of the courses offered in the Department of science and Technology Education.

Similarly, as examiners, invigilators, the study will help the lecturers with more broad
knowledge on the various number of examination malpractices indulge by the students in

Technology Education as well as the systematic approaches to curb the dishonest act before and

during the commencement of the examination. The study would also be of the same significance

to the Department of Science and Technology Education, Bayero University Kano and sister

Departments, Universities and colleges.

Recall also that the faculty guidance and counseling unit baffles with students seeking for

advises on how to strategize and prepare for examinations, the findings of this study may be

useful to the counseling unit while suggesting the best examination preparation techniques the

students may employ for a successful and hitch-free examination. The unit could also use the

research findings for clear elaboration of the various forms of examination malpractices that the

counselee may temper with or undermine while writing the examinations. The faculty, university

may also use the findings of the study for the same purposes during orientations.

1.6 Research Questions

The research questions for the study are stated below;

1. What are the examination preparation strategies adopted by Technology Education

students in Bayero University Kano?

2. What are causes of examination malpractice among Technology Education students in

Bayero University Kano?

3. What are the strategies for avoiding examination malpractice among Technology

Education students in Bayero University Kano?

This study will concentrate on examination preparation strategies, examination malpractice, their

causes, effects and possible solution among Technology Education students in Bayero University

1.8 Definition of Terms

The facts that different meanings are assigned and will be applied to the following words as used

in this research work.

Examination: A test of capacity and knowledge. It is a determinant of learner’s strength and

weakness necessary for his/her academic adjustment and work life.

Preparation: Is the action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting

ready for some occasion, test or duty.

Strategy: A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.

Malpractice: It is any behavior of a person contrary to the laid down code of conduct.

Cheating: This refers to any type of examination malpractice, which takes place in the

examination hall.

Guidance: This is an assistance given to an individual either by an adult or counselor in order to

help them discover themselves and cope with life situation.

Counseling: This is a relationship that between a counselor and a counselee in order to provide

solution to a problem encountered by the counselee.