EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AS ONE OF THE TARGETS OF REBRANDING CAMPAIGN: THE PLACE OF LANGUAGE IN THE EXERCISE

By ADEMOLA, Michael French Department, School of Languages, Federal College of Education, Kontagora

Abstract Considering all the natural endowments, human and material, it is blessed with, Nigeria is considered as the greatest among its West African counterparts in particular and the giant of African continent in general. But it is a pity that in a land full of honey and milk like ours, many people cannot still make both ends meet. At all levels of government in Nigeria, people have lost confidence in the leadership. The country is yet being faced with a good number of issues that have damaged its reputation, name and image before the international community. Among these issues are cyber crimes, piracy, money laundering, drug and human trafficking, embezzlement, prostitution, bribery, examination malpractices, forgery, abduction and all forms of corruption. Consequently, the present administration, through its Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili, thinks the battered image of the country needs redemption. This led to emergence of the on-going Re-branding Nigeria Campaign. On this note, this paper discusses examination malpractice in relation to the Re-branding Campaign. It also unveils the place of languages in this campaign. The paper ends with suggestions and conclusion.

Introduction The recently launched Re-branding Campaign by Professor Dora Akunyili, the Minister of Information and Communication, is a clear indication that all is not well with Nigeria as a nation. Over the years, the country has been battling with a lot of social, economic and political problems resulting from corruption of all forms. Before the international community, Nigeria has been reduced to nothing. Nigerians, everywhere they go, are always seen as dangerous and fraudulent people. The country is branded with a lot of social vices. Other countries, especially the developed ones, regard Nigeria as a place where nothing good works at all. It has been named the most corrupt nation on the planet. The foreign media takes an active part in this direction. As a result of the above, the Re-branding Nigeria Campaign is after projecting a new image of Nigeria to Nigerians themselves and to the outside world. Akunyili believes that Nigerians need value re-orientation. That all about Nigeria is not corruption and crimes. Therefore, Nigerians should not be hopeless before the situation befalling them as a people. And since national identity is a collective responsibility, they should take their destiny in their hands through a change of attitude. This, at least, will draw the attention of the international community to some good things about them. Indeed, the campaign is a welcome development. It is another laudable initiative emerging under Yaraduas administration. Hence, it could be deduced from reactions of Nigerians that the country truly needs a change, but it must not be a sudden one characterized by a fire-brigade approach. It should be noted that re-branding campaign is not just today combating the negative perception about
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Nigeria and its people, but the years of inaction, insensitivity and negligence to the countrys national identity (OTudor C., 2009).

Definitions of Concepts Language: Kolo (2006) sees language as a phenomenon and the only thing that differentiates man from other creatures; while in the opinion of Ugbijeh (2006), language is a medium of communication through which thoughts, emotions, desires, views, anxiety, fear etc. are expressed among human beings. It remains an important aspect of culture and there is no society without language. It is a major means of identity among human beings of different sexes, colours, races and religious beliefs. Examination Malpractice: Examination, in the first place, is seen, according to Ipaye (1982) as an organized assessment technique which presents the individual with series of questions geared towards ascertaining his/her acquired skill and knowledge. Examination, whether internal or external, oral or written, shows how well an individual has learned and studies the materials taught in a particular course or programme as usually prepared by the teacher or a group of teachers. In other words, it is a method of finding out what the student has gained from his/her learning activities in terms of knowledge, thinking and reasoning character development. However, examination malpractice could be defined as a situation where students go into the examination hall with various forbidden items (phones, papers,
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textbooks etc.) to cheat. It also explains any form of behaviour that is against the rules and conducts of examinations and that are carried out by students or anybody before, during or after the official period or time of exam; and either at the official venue or centre of the exam or anywhere. Re-branding: The word Re-branding is from the verb re-brand which means to change or update the image of an organization or product (Collins Essential English Dictionary, 2006). Re-branding, therefore, is the process by which a product or service is marketed or distributed with a new different identity. This may include changes to the brands logo, name as well as image. An image, according to Hornby (2001) is defined as the impression that a person, an organization or a product gives to the public. It could also mean a picture of somebody or something. Re-branding as a process can be done purposely or result from unplanned factors. Whether deliberate or accidental, re-branding aims at

upgrading the image and value of a product in order to retain its old customers or users and equally appeal to new ones. In short, re-branding is a marketing strategy in the business world.

Forms of Examination Malpractice There are a lot of forms of examination malpractice. They are too numerous to be discussed in this paper. However, the following will be explained: Leakages This explains a situation whereby examination questions and materials are revealed to students, parents etc. before the specified day of examination. This
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could be due to careless attitude of the custodians of examination questions such as typist and staff of exams bodies like WAEC, NECO, and JAMB etc. Importation of Foreign Materials This form of examination malpractice happens when students go into the examination hall with strange materials like textbooks, mobile phones, handkerchief, a piece of clothe etc. containing some relevant information that could aid their performance in tackling examination questions. Impersonation This is a form of examination malpractice where somebody is caught writing an examination for someone else. That is when an individual trades his knowledge for money or other incentives by helping another person in writing an exam he himself did not register for. Using fake identity (fake names and passport photographs) is common in impersonation. Multiple Answer Scripts This is colluding with the supervisor, examiner or a member of staff in order to submit a newly prepared answer script as a substitute for the original script after an examination. Swooping of Scripts This is throwing and exchanging of scripts from one student to another in an examination hall. Causes of Examination Malpractice Whenever people are caught for engaging in examination malpractice, they do try to justify their unlawful act with a good number of reasons just to exonerate
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themselves. From such excuses have emerged causes of examinations malpractices discussed below: The first cause of examination malpractice as indicated by Ogbada (2004) is too much of emphasis placed on paper qualification as a criterion for either admission into institutions of higher learning or employment into offices, especially competitive jobs. The Nigeria society attaches much value to certificates obtained and examinations passed by an individual than his/her physical ability as well as his/her level of intelligence and efficiency. Many employers of labour have been disappointed in this regard as many holders of beautiful certificates do find it difficult, at times, to practically defend them through their performances. Another notable cause of examination malpractice is poverty. Standard of living of many Nigerians is very low due to poor and unhealthy economic condition of the country. Many teachers, supervisors and invigilators engage in malpractice in order to collect money and other gift items from either candidates or their parents or guardians. Lack of confidence is another tangible cause of examination malpractice at all levels of education in Nigeria. Many students lack confidence in themselves. No matter how much efforts they put in before the commencement of examination, such students do see their ideas as insufficient to supply answers that could make them pass. For this reason, they consider going to examination hall with unlawful materials that could give them undue advantage(s) in the examination. Many teachers engage in examination malpractice in order to show professional excellence. Such categories of teachers do base their achievements on the performance of their students in an examination. For example, if students results are good, it shows that their teachers have been doing their work efficiently
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and vice versa (Ogbada, 2004). And since they see examination as a means of obtaining information about them, some teachers do assist their students in examinations. What a professional misconduct! Similarly, in order to maintain the prestige of their schools, many principals and proprietors of schools do carry out examination malpractice (Lindgren, 1976). Implications of Examination Malpractice on Nigerias Image Examination malpractice is a monster that must be fought by all and sundry. This is because its implications in the society are too disastrous. Examinations malpractice remains the root and mother of all other forms of evils and indiscipline going on in Nigeria today. School, irrespective of level, is a citadel of learning. That is a place where knowledge is being imparted and talents are being discovered. But it is quite unfortunate that many students, nowadays, are only after acquiring certificates but not knowledge. As a result, they engage in one form of malpractice or the other during examination. The great consequence of that is the production of half-baked graduates who cannot perform in their respective fields. Many men and women who become fraudulent politicians, businessmen and women, policemen and women etc. are all products of examination malpractice (Ojaleye O. and Ojaleye O. A., 2002). What else can we say about forgery in our society? It is also identified as a by-product of examination malpractice. Imagine people opting for fake documents and certificates either to travel abroad or to acquire political posts or offices. There are many private companies and hospitals in Nigeria where fake licences, registration numbers or medical certificates are being used to operate (Ajibola O.,
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2006). Such companies and hospitals, of course, are fond of rendering poor services that could endanger the life of the public. Re-branding Nigerias Educational System Standard of education in Nigeria continues to fall as a result of examination malpractice. Nigerian graduates can no longer raise their heads straight among their foreign colleagues. Something must be wrong somewhere which needs to be addressed urgently. We have to go back to the source that produced people like late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Professor Wole Soyinka, Professor Chinua Achebe etc. What has happened to the foundation they all went through? Answer to the above question is not far-fetched. The key problem is examination malpractice. It has eaten deep into the educational system of this country. In the light of this, the re-branding campaign is on time. It has to spread its tentacles to all levels of our educational system. All factors encouraging this social canker need to be dealt with once and for all. In the first place, many educational facilities are in bad state in all our schools. They must be surely re-branded. It is quite disgusting to note that in the twenty-first century, many of our schools are still full of old and irrelevant materials in their libraries. Many laboratories (science, language) are less equipped (Ademola, 2006). More so, many schools still lack sufficient classrooms and halls to hold lessons and to conduct exams. Students are usually packed like sardine thereby inducing examination indiscipline (Bolarinwa, A. O., 1996). As for the teachers, they too need rebirth. Many of them do involve themselves in examination malpractice for financial gain. Being a noble profession; teachers need to be well remunerated for the service they render. They should be well paid and recognized like other professionals such as lawyers,
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doctors etc. If the teachers are given such honour and recognition, the incessant strike action which our educational system has been known with will definitely be a thing of the past. The government must realize that teachers rewards are no longer in heaven, but in this world. In the same vein, further studies should be more encouraged among the teachers at all levels of education primary school to university. They need to be re-branded with new and latest ideas. And as custodians of knowledge, the teachers must be updated academically by being sponsored regularly by the government either for seminars or workshops within and outside the country. By doing so, they will be more efficient in their chosen career. Place of Languages in Re-branding Exercise Being an important instrument of disseminating information, language will play a good role in re-branding campaign. It is a programme that affects us all, whether educated or not, rich or poor, young or old. Thus, the re-branding exercise should start from within. People say charity begins at home. All Nigerians have to understand first what the re-branding policy means as well as its missions. Our various indigenous languages and Pidgin English will be of great use or help in this direction. The fact still remain that we are the architects of our own destiny. And if so, Nigerian media and entertaining industries like Nollywood should intensify more efforts in remaking our image locally using Nigerian languages and internationally by using English and French as the countrys official and second official languages respectively. At this juncture, I salute the efforts of our national examination bodies such as JAMB, WAEC and NECO for devising new means of sensitizing the general
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public about examination malpractices and other examination codes of conducts via production of video cassettes. Both the students and invigilators are now being provided with copies of the VCD to watch several days before the examination. This brilliant attempt has to be improved upon by making the said VCD available in at least, the three major languages of the nation Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. This will let uneducated parents and guardians know the reasons why they should not support their wards in examination malpractices. Moreover, the economic life of the nation needs re-branding too. All the developed countries of the world like China, France, Japan, Germany, USA etc. cherish the use of their various languages in anything they do. And this has really helped in selling their popularity and good image to the entire world (Ademola, 2009). Reverse is the case in this country. It is only in Nigeria the instructions on the locally made goods are often written in foreign languages (English, French, Arabic etc). Why should it be so? Many unpatriotic producers and manufacturers prefer putting foreign labels or brand names (e.g. Made in China etc.) on their Made in Nigeria goods. What a compromise of national identity! Suggestions Having discussed all the sub-headings above, this paper hereby suggests the following:  Re-branding exercise should be handled with all seriousness.  All and sundry should be ready to turn a new leaf in all their dealings and desist completely from any act that can tarnish the image of the nation.

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 Government should do more in alleviating sufferings of its people by providing them with job opportunities. Doing so will reduce crime rate in the society.  Teaching profession should be treated equally with other professions in terms of salary.  More classrooms and examination halls must be provided by the government in our entire schools nationwide.  Ministry of information and communication must create an avenue for regular meetings with both local and international press.  Government must improve on the provision of social amenities, especially good access road network, electricity supply etc.  All perpetrators of examination malpractice must be made to face the wrath of law.  Re-branding campaign should be a continuous issue irrespective of whoever succeeds President Yaradua or Professor Dora Akunyili. Conclusion This paper has discussed examination malpractice as one of the major issues the Re-branding Campaign sets out to fight. Candidly speaking, the campaign is very timely. Nigeria needs a rebirth of image. And since we all contribute to the countrys present bad state, we should also team up to jointly fight all forms of corruption and indiscipline in our midst. We must be optimistic about Nigerias situation knowing fully well that there is no country without challenge. Let us all be re-branded in our various manners. With our full supports, re-branding exercise will be a success.

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References Ademola M. (2006) French as a Foreign Language: An Unavoidable Catalyst for National Development in Riminstiwa S.A (ed.) KONJOLLS, Federal College of Education, Kontagora Ademola M. (2009). The Role of Language and Literature Towards Economic Recession. A paper presented at the 9th National Conference of the School of Vocational Education, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Bolarin A.O (1996). The Problems Militating Against the Standard of Education in Nigeria in Ajayi, E. O. A. (ed.) Osiele Journal of Educational Studies, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta. Collins Essential English Dictionary (2006) 2nd Edition, Harper Collins publishers: London. Hornby A.S (2001). Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English, sixth edition, Oxford University Press: New York. Ipaye T.O (1984). Continuous Assessment in Schools with Some Guidance and Counselling, University Press: Ilorin. Kolo (2006). Language and Information Technology for Global Integration in Rimintsiwa S.A (ed.) KONJOLLS, Federal College of Education, Kontagora Lindgren, H. C. (1976). Educational Psychology in the Classroom, 5th edition, New York: John Willey & Sons Inc

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Ogbada E. I. (2004). The Effects of Examination Malpractice on the Performance of the Educational System in Nigeria in Ikpeoba I. E. (ed). WAJOVEASS, College of Education, Waka-Bia, Borno State Ojaleye O. and Ojaleye O. A (2002). The National Re-birth and Examination Malpractices in Schools. Kontagora Journal of Education, Vol. 5, Nos 1&2 OTudor C. (2009). Re-branding Nigeria: Myths and Realities. Retrieved 20th June, 2009 from nigerianbrands.blogspot.com/2009/02.... Ugbijeh G.H. (2006). French Language: A Tool for Global Integration and Sustainable Democracy in Riminsiwa S. A. (ed.) KONJOLLS, Federal College of Education, Kontagora.

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