THE POTENCY OF SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION IN CURBING EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE AMONG JSS STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate ―the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice among JSS students in Zaria Educational Zone‖, Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. A total of three hundred and seventy nine male and female junior secondary school students were sampled for the study out of the total population of 26,322 but only 372 students responded. Ten schools were selected from both urban and rural areas using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected with social studies instrument for examination malpractice questionnaire (SSIEMQ) constructed by the researcher. This research is aimed at reducing examination malpractice among junior secondary school students in Zaria Educational Zone of Kaduna State. Three (3) research questions were raised and answered using percentage and frequency tables, comparative frequencies of response, mean and standard deviations. Three (3) hypotheses raised for the study were tested using inferential statistical technique of Independent t-test at 0.05 levels of significance. However, results indicated that examination malpractice discourages hard work among JSS2 and JSS3 students. The study also revealed that the value acquired through the teaching of social studies education discourages the involvement of students from rural and urban areas in examination malpractice. It was discovered during this study that, it is possible to use social studies education to reduce desperation during examinations among JSS2 and JSS3 students. Based on these findings, it was recommended that Social studies curriculum should be reviewed by NERDC in consonance with the dynamics of the contemporary society to counter challenges of examination malpractices among JSS students. Guidance counsellors should be employed by government and posted to junior secondary schools to help students in self understanding and self management, in relation to how they can utilize their assets and manage their abilities and capabilities for optimal development so as to minimize examination malpractices among junior secondary school students. Students and teachers of social studies in Zaria educational zone, Nigeria should be encouraged to attend seminars and workshops on how to reduce examination malpractices especially through social studies teaching and learning process. Only social studies teachers who are of good moral standing should be employed to teach social studies.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background to the Study

The value and functionality of any educational system lies in its ability to actualize the goals of education. In educational systems, world over, the examination process makes the difference. The goals of national educational systems and indeed national development become like a mirage if examination ethics is not encouraged and instituted (Nwadiani, 2005). Examination remains the best tool for an objective assessment and evaluation of what students have achieved after a period of schooling. Hence any action that undermines examinations poses a great threat to the validity and reliability of examination results and certification (Olatunbosun, 2009).

Unfortunately, the process of examination malpractice in Nigeria junior secondary schools has become a contemporary shame (Nwadiani, 2005). This is attributable to the high degree of examination malpractice that has become endemic in the educational system. Evidences abound of increasing involvement in examination malpractice by students, teachers and parents (Vanguard, 2005; Weekend Pointer, 2005; Daily Independent, 2004). Examination malpractice is any act of omission or commission by a person who in anticipation of, before, during or after any examination fraudulently secure any unfair advantage for himself or any other person in such a manner that contravenes the rules and regulations to the extent of undermining the validity, reliability and authenticity of the examination (Examination Act, 1999). The alarming rate of increase in examination malpractice in Junior Secondary Schools in Nigeria, calls for concern from all stake holders in the education sector. The incidence of examination malpractice is multidimensional in nature raging from smuggling of prepared notes into exams halls and classes (Adegoke, 2010). Examination malpractice is a scourge that has defied all measures adopted to eradicate it from our educational system. It has continued to rear its ugly head in most examinations conducted in Nigeria from primary to the universities. In this light, this research seeks to Survey the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice among JSS students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria.

1.2         Statement of the Problem

In view of the ever increasing incidences of examination malpractices and the problem associated with the conduct of examination in Nigeria, this study is undertaken to survey the potency of social studies education as a curriculum design in curbing examination malpractice among JSS students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria. Of all the subjects studied in Nigerian schools, social studies is the most (if not the only) appropriate curriculum design for addressing Nigeria‘s problem educationally and comprehensively (Okam, 2002). This study is timely due to growing rate of examination malpractice in the educational industry in Nigeria today especially among junior secondary school students. Examination malpractice is one of the greatest problems undermining the foundation of educational practice in Nigeria. It renders the goals of education invalid. The actualisation of the goals will continue to be a mirage if the scourge is not eradicated. Consequently, the fight against corruption cannot succeed if examination malpractice continues to be endemic in the Nigerian education system.

The incidence of examination malpractice in Nigeria has become so wide spread that there is virtually no examination anywhere at all levels and outside the formal school systems that there is no one form of sharp practice or the other. Every examination season witnesses the emergence of a new and ingenious ways of cheating. The alarming rate of increase of examination malpractice has been described as a global issue (Awanbor, 2005). The value system in Nigeria has broken down completely and so adults and youth act without moral scruples. This is the reason why the menace (examination malpractice) still thrives unabated despite its grave consequences on the social, political and economic structures of the nation (Olatunbosun, 2009). The phenomenon of examination malpractice seems to be aggravated by the large scale and shameful involvement of dishonest and greedy teachers, school heads, parents and all those who take part in examination malpractice (Ijaiya, 1998). The prominence assumed by this malady in junior secondary schools has become a source of concern to stakeholders in the education industry. This study is unique and not a replica of anything in existence. It was designed from a unique perspective of exploring the potentials of social studies education as a curriculum instrument for curbing examination malpractice among junior secondary school students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria.

1.3         Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study assessed the potency of social studies education as a curriculum instrument in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Find out if there is any difference between male and female students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing Examination Malpractice amongst JSS Students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria.
2. Determine if there is any difference between JSSII and JSSIII students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing Examination Malpractice amongst JSS Students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria.
3. Examine if there is any difference among rural and urban JSS students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing Examination Malpractice amongst JSS Students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria.

1.4        Research Questions

The following research questions were asked and answered in this study:

1. is there any difference between male and female students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS Students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria?
2. is there any difference among JSS II and JSS III students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing Examination Malpractice amongst JSS Students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria?
3. is there any difference among rural and urban JSS students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS students in Zaria educational zone, Nigeria?

1.5        Hypotheses

In attempt to answer the above research questions, the following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.

1. Ho1: There is no significant difference between male and female students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS students in Zaria educational zone, Nigeria.
2. Ho2: There is no significant difference among JSSII and JSS III students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS students in Zaria educational zone, Nigeria.

• Ho3: There is no significant difference among rural and urban JSS students‘ views regarding the potency of social studies education in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS students in Zaria educational zone, Nigeria.

1.6         Significance of the Study

This research is aimed at curbing examination malpractice among junior secondary school students in Zaria Educational Zone, Nigeria using social studies education. The implementation of this finding will not only expose the extent to which JSS students are involved in examination malpractice but will also suggest some antidotes or a lasting solution to this academic dishonesty among junior secondary school students within the area of study. This study should be of potential interest to all social studies educators if we are truly committed to creating positive, supportive classrooms for all students regardless of race, gender or other differences. This research will also be of great significance to educational policy makers, parents, JSS students, because it will provide them with adequate knowledge to remedy examination malpractice.

The study is expected to be of interest to the society and school authorities as it will provide a new area of concentration in their quest to reduce or solve the menace of examination malpractice bedevilling the nation. It will help them to re-focus their educational system for better output. The study is significant as social studies helps to prepare the citizens who must address themselves to the challenges and responsibilities of the Nigerian society. Social studies is a discipline that emerged as a panacea for societal problems (Aina, Adedoyin, Obilo and Ahmadu, 1982).

This study will help the government to create a state of consideration of possible and feasible prospects of social studies being offered at the senior secondary school level to avoid the break it has at this level which affects and cripples its potentials. The study will expose the students to the need for hard work and diligence which will promote sanity and guarantee solid educational base for national development. This study is important as it will expose the students to the ills and effects of examination malpractice which is a threat to human and national development.

1.7         Scope of the Study

This research work has explored the potency of social studies education as a curriculum design in curbing examination malpractice amongst JSS Students in Zaria Educational Zone. It also examined the concept of examination malpractice, the genesis, forms, causes, effect of examination malpractice, the relevance and efficacy of social studies education as a curriculum instrument in combating examination malpractice in Nigerian schools. The research was limited to JSSII and JSSIII male and female students within the area of the study.

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