Lorine Emenike
Public and private schools have been advised not to indulge in examination malpractice in the ongoing West African School Certificate Examination.
Briefing monitors and supervisors of the examination today in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Commissioner for education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogi Jaja who was represented by Sir. Dagogo Adonye Hart, the permanent secretary of the ministry of education, frowned at the use of mercenaries and other illegal practices during examinations.
According to him, any school found in the practice will be penalized by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the ministry of education.
He said the ministry will continue to intensify efforts towards eradicating this practice which is inimical to educational advancement.
The ministry advised monitors not to go about demanding transport money from schools and should not exceed 45 minutes before leaving to another school for monitor.
He pointed out that the responsibility of the monitors is to correct areas where they find inadequate, such as sitting arrangements, placement of wall clocks, uniforms and general outlook of the environment.
They were also told not to aid malpractice and exhibit professionalism in their conduct. Pointing out that monitors should walk straight to the examination hall and avoid paying homage to a principal before going to the hall.
He stated that since the monitors are there for a serious business, they should not go about signing visitors book for principals and that if they find any strange activity, it should be incidented in the malpractice form available; adding that, gone are the days when parent’s and school authorities engage the services of mercenaries in examinations.
