GeekRant Issue #2

Today was INF test 2 as some of you who read the previous rant might be aware of. However, there was none of that “fake conversation before test” thing I was ranting about earlier. Rather, I wrote the test with the aid of a Blackberry 8900 or the Javelin as it is fondly called.

I know, I know, I was being all self righteous in the previous post but now I’m as good as one of “them” BUT!!! I fended for myself. I stayed true to my principles people. I did not stir up some fake convo just because it was test time. Back to the issue though, It wasn’t completely helpful and I’d probably end up with an 80%.

 What is the point of today’s rant you ask?, well I discovered that (I’ve known this for ages though but let’s keep going), most people are of the opinion that “the academic certificates being issued to graduates in Nigeria are no more valuable than the pieces of paper on which they are printed”. (Aisha Nuraini, Minna, Nigeria). This is due to the nation’s notoriety at examination malpractice.

So what is examination malpractice? Good question. Examination malpractice generally refers to any behavior prior to, during or after the examination that makes life easier for the cheating candidate to passJ. As a result, the validity of the examination is compromised.

According to my somewhat accurate statistics gleaned from the internet, Examination malpractice in Nigeria has now reached alarming heights and attained levels of sophistication previously unimagined. It has evolved from the normal ‘giraffing’ you were used to and comfortable with in your primary school. At the secondary level, the trend has been to make use of key points, notes and text books, writing answers on palms, copying answers onto sheets of paper and tables. (This has been comically dubbed “desktop publishing”).

Moreover, it has now assumed a mafia like structure i.e a much more advanced and organized system that involves buying questions or pre-answered papers from examination officials entrusted with the safe-keeping of the examination question paper. Also included is the arrangement for ‘special’ candidates to enroll for and write your exam for a price and a host of others such as the one I made use of todayJ.

Exam bodies aiming to break the vicious cycle of exam malpractices must first start by eradicating that corrupt mindset that characterizes many of its officials as well as the students. Most individuals involved with exam malpractices do so as a result of two variables, namely intimidation or favor. It’s usually one or the other, pick your poison.

Exam officials should update their modes of surveillance in the exam halls. I don’t mean to brag but its getting too easy to pass nowadaysJ. They themselves should equally be placed under surveillance as they are sometimes part of the problem.

Who am I kidding? I totally <3 heart <3 this system, I get to chill and still pass, lolzz! But beware though; someone said “If you can’t do the time, be smarter @ committing the crime”. Boo me later.

Cheers.