CAUSES OF EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The aim of this research is to examine the Causes of Examination Malpractices in selected public secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Two hundred and ninety seven (297) students were randomly selected from six thousand four hundred and fifty five (6455) students. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. Results from the study revealed that causes of examination malpractices in public secondary schools bother on students’, teachers’ and societal factors. The study further revealed that schools located in urban areas have teachers', students' and societal factors as the major causes of examination malpractice, in rural areas, teachers', students' and societal factors. Also, causes of examination malpractices in mixed schools bother on teachers', students' peer group as well as societal factors while in male schools, it has teachers' and societal factor as the causes of examination malpractice and in female schools it has teachers, students' and societal factors as the major cause of examination malpractice. It also shows that the causes of examination malpractice among the male students centers on teachers', students' and societal factors while the causes of examination malpractice among the female students is as a result of teachers' and societal factors. Based on the findings, it was recommended that examination malpractice can be reduced through proper preparation by the students, intensive counseling, employing qualified, certified and competent teachers and concentration in building the self-worth of students.