The Federal Ministry of Education has said it is concerned over the low rate of convictions recorded in cases of examination malpractice.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Andrew Adejoh, made this known during a one-day sensitisation workshop on examination malpractice in Nigeria..
The workshop themed ‘The Role of Education Stakeholders in Tackling Malpractice in Nigeria,’ was organised by the National Examinations Council (NECO) in partnership with the National Assembly.
Adejoh, speaking through the Director of Special Duties, Education Ministry, Zubairu Abdullahi, said the government had introduced laws to curtail exam malpractices, but it does not seem to be effective.
He noted how the laws are yet to produce the desired result, saying; “The decree 20 of 1984 prescribing 21 years imprisonment upon conviction and the amended Examination Malpractice Act of 1991 which seek five-year jail term or a fine of N250, 000.
“The effectiveness of these measures is highly debatable, more so that not many have gone to jail because of examination malpractices. I suggest we look into our laws”.
The Permanent secretary, however, lauded NECO and other exam bodies for deploying technology to combat the threat, saying the move has recorded great success.
NECO Registrar, Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, who also spoke at the event, said malpractice, when it goes unchecked tends to discourage hard working students.
