On various occasions, we parents,teachers, students and school authorities have reasoned together on the issue of education malpractices.I consider it necessary to repeat it over and over again till all of us stakeholders in the education system allow God to help us understand and behave bether in our God-given privilege to train up children.In this article, I use the term "Education malpractice", rather than the more familiar term of "examination malpractice" or "examination irregularity".This is because, as a few others hhave righty observered,we have degenerated in Nigeria beyond examination malpractice to such a critical level that virtually every aspect of educational career has been severely corrupted.Until recently, parents, teachers and religious leaders joined efforts and voices with school authorities, examiners and government to cry out against examination malpractice. Today, in many ways, all these parties are directly or indirectly involved in promoting or supporting this disease.This is to such shameful extents that numeous school autorities now openly levy students to buy or procure "live" examination materials for their students. In most cases,such arrangements are made with the consent or connivance of parents or parent teachers association who scout for "examination contractors" in the name of "helping" their children.Students and candidates have turned examination centers to war " War fronts" with sofisticated weapon to scare any un conpromising principal or examination official and hold the hostage. So desperate and vexing is the situation that the cankerworm has spread from tertiary down to primary school levels!The few individuals or schools that dare to be upright may think of themselves as "odd ones out", and wonder if it is worth it.However, God's word gives us abundant assurance that should encourage such few to remain steadfast in well-doing. Proverbs 22:1 declares that " a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is bether than silver or gold"(NIV). You need not feel alone , because there area few others that are still determined

 

 

 

 

 

to uphold the diginity of education, morality, and goodness.Even if you were the only individual or school, the world itself agrees that "one with God is majority".

Some may be tempted to feel that if the evil cannot be stopped and every other student or school is doing it,they too shouldjoin.Our prayer should rather be, "Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies", (Psalm 14:4, NIV). Honest individuals and schools have every reason to remain upright and they can make a tremendous impression and impact that would bring about appreciable change of heart and attitude in the society.

We christains and mission schools who have the privilege access to God's Holy words, need to understand better the evil and dreadful consequencies of education malpractice, versus the favour andd honour of uprightness.Students who depend on "help" or cheating to pass examinations lose the interest and ability to work or study hard. Those who have been "helped" to make impressiove results in entrance examination (primarily, JAMB,WAEC and NECO) end up as "drop- outs" in higher institutions because they had not taken time to learn or acquire the background knowledge, skill, or confidence necessary for the study at higher level.

institution by "help" go into the labour market or society with results they cannot defend or work with . They live with timidity and guilty conscience.

To obey and honour God by being honest in examinations, other educational pursuits and all life's endeavours, will always attract God's favour and protection, as well as earn us respect, dignity and good report with our fellow human beings. God's word does not change ; and He has declared that a sinner will not go unpunished. Even our human experience prove this people say,"Man days for the thief, one day for the owner". Perpetrators of evil may seem to prosper now, but their end will soon come, and with shame and humiliation. Psalm 37:1-2 cations, "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away"-NIV.

For us christain parents, teachers, school authorities, examination officials, and students, we have to take God's word more seriously, and stay on the lord's side. proverbs 22:6 implores us to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he grows he will not depart from it". We need to train the child in the way "he should go" the way of godliness, not the way dictated by the child, or the tides of this world . It is interesting to note that " agood name is bether than riches".These are precious words for students and parents who hunt for good examination results b all means, for teachers and examination officials who crave the "riches"of money or material gains through indecent and illegitimate "help" andschool authorities that seek to boost their students populations by educationa fraud, God's stand is that grades earned by one's effort with good reportare bether and more honourable than false impressions made through cheating and forgery.