NAWOJ tasks authority to stem exam malpractice in schools

THE Bayelsa State Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, has emphasised the need for education authorities and relevant stakeholders to do everything possible to outlaw examination malpractices in schools in the state.

NAWOJ made the call in a sensitization campaign against the menace taken to a secondary school in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.

At the community secondary school, Famgbe in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, the consensus was that the menace has negative implications for societal development.

Stakeholders, including journalists, teachers, parents and students condemned the act, pledging to forge a common front to combat the vice headlong.

At the forum held at the hall of the Community Secondary School, Famgbe, a suburb of Yenagoa metropolis, which brought together media professionals, teachers and students the threat posed by examination malpractices to the nation’s educational sector was once more brought to the front burner.

The Chairperson, NAWOJ, Mrs Maria Osumah, identified students’ poor attitude towards school and subjects, teachers and parents’ attitude towards students and negative peer group influences as some of the factors that cause the menace.

While calling on all stakeholders to work towards addressing the challenge, she urged students to work and study hard and develop positive self-esteem.

Osumah also charged parents and guardians to supervise their children and wards and discourage the practice of encouraging them to cheat in exams.

In her remark, the Principal of the school, Mrs Tanize Thomas, said the intervention by groups such as NAWOJ on the issue of examination malpractices had become imperative given the indulgence of some students in the act.