Malpractises erode exams integrity

EXAMINATION malpractice in Zambia at grades 7, 9, and 12, is eroding the integrity of examinations and education authorities should ensure that they enforce all the security procedures, the National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) has said.

In a statement made available to the Daily Nation, NUPPEZ public relations officer Ngoza Malonga called on education authorities to ensure that they enforce all the security procedures and activities during the ongoing national examinations.

Ms Malonga said that measures should include policing and intensifying the monitoring of ongoing grade 7, 9, and 12 examination sessions so as ensure that the standards were not compromised.

She reiterated that it was what it meant to deliver quality education, producing fully baked pupils who would contribute meaningfully to the development and prosperity of the country.

Ms Malonga warned that an examination malpractice was a serious crime and eroded the morality and integrity of examination and society, as it also jeopardized the well-being of future generations.

“Education authorities in the country should ensure that they enforce all the security procedures and activities during the ongoing national examinations. This must include policing and intensifying the monitoring of ongoing grade 7, 9, and 12 examination sessions so as ensure that the standards are not compromised,” she said.

Ms Malonga said that it was saddening to learn that in previous examination, some parents who were expected to be custodians of morality in society had been at the center of offering leaked examination papers to their children.

She reiterated that it was high time parents realized that cheating in an examination did not pay and that they should instead join hands with teachers in educating the boys and girls on the need to refrain from such criminal activities.

Meanwhile, NUPPEZ has also appealed to its members to remain professional and desist from examination malpractices at all costs.

Ms Malonga sad that teachers should ensure that pupils who had been found wanting in examination malpractice practices were dealt with according to the stipulated Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) guidelines if the country was to fight the vice successfully.

“Shielding pupils who are found wanting is wrong and must be stopped immediately,” she said.

Ms Malonga said that in supporting government in fighting the scourge, community participation was a sure way of curbing examination malpractice.

She emphasized the need to engage all education stakeholders especially teachers, parents and including the learners themselves to lead the fight against examination malpractice.