Current Trends in Examination Malpractices Among Senior High Schools in New Juaben Municipal Assembly, Eastern Region: Reasons and Strategies for Minimising The Menace

Abstract

The study investigated the current trends of examination malpractices among senior high schools in New Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Eastern Region of Ghana, the persons involved, and the reasons that account for their involvement and ascertain effective strategies for curbing the menace. A descriptive survey design was used. The population of the study consisted of all senior high school teachers and students in New Juaben Municipal. Simple random sampling was used to select teachers and students for the study. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection. The overall reliability statistic for the students’ questionnaire. The teachers’ questionnaire yielded a reliability coefficient. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that (i) obtaining questions through social media before examination is the most practiced forms of examination malpractices. Further, the results show that students, invigilators and teachers are considered as the individuals that are mostly involved in examination malpractices. Besides, (i) poor students’ attitudes towards learning, (ii) inadequate school facilities and (iii) poor teaching are the three topmost reasons that drive many persons to indulge in examination malpractice. The findings further revealed that effective teaching is the best strategy for combating examination malpractices. Also, provision of adequate facilities for teaching and learning, instant punishment to anyone who engages in examination malpractices, encouraging series of tests before final exams and rewarding honesty and excellence are the next best strategies for combating examination malpractices. Further analyses showed that gender and school type have no influence on students’ choices about the best strategies for curbing examination malpractices.