Tinubu’s Reforms: Alausa warns parents, teachers, proprietors, students against exam malpractice
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has warned parents, teachers, school proprietors, principals, invigilators and students against examination malpractice, saying the Federal Government is determined to restore integrity and credibility to Nigeria’s education and public examination system.
Alausa gave the warning during a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other stakeholders in the education sector.
The minister described examination malpractice as a deeply entrenched practice that creates an unfair advantage for candidates who do not prepare adequately for examinations, while disadvantaging students who rely on hardwork and genuine preparation.
He said the practice not only distorts examination results but also undermines public confidence in certificates and qualifications awarded by the nation’s education system.
He said tackling examination malpractice requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders, stressing that the responsibility should not be placed solely on students.
He therefore, urged parents, teachers, proprietors, principals, invigilators and school administrators to uphold examination regulations, provide conducive learning environments and discourage all forms of assistance that give candidates illicit access to examination questions or materials.
Alausa said the Federal Government was strengthening examination administration and security to ensure that public examinations accurately reflect candidates’ knowledge, competence and abilities.
He noted that the measures were part of the broader education reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, aimed at raising standards, strengthening accountability and rebuilding confidence in Nigeria’s education system.
The minister said the reforms were designed to protect genuine learners and ensure that academic qualifications were earned through knowledge, hardwork and merit.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, appealed to private school proprietors and other education stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen examination integrity.
She acknowledged that tighter examination controls could initially reveal gaps in the actual preparation of some students, particularly those who had become accustomed to accessing leaked examination questions before external examinations.
She said some students who perform exceptionally well in internal examinations may have relied on leaked questions, making it difficult for their actual performance to be assessed when such practices are eliminated.
Prof. Ahmad said the introduction of serialised examination questions would make it more difficult for candidates to rely on leaked materials and would encourage genuine preparation.
She urged schools to complete the approved curriculum on schedule and promote consistent study habits among students.
The Minister of State assured private education stakeholders that the Ministry of Education would continue to engage with and support them as the reforms are implemented.
She said the ultimate objective was to ensure that examination results remained a reliable reflection of students’ knowledge and abilities.
Alausa further assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would continue to collaborate with private schools, examination bodies and other partners to strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s examination system.
He said the administration remained committed to creating an education system in which academic success is determined by genuine learning, hard work and merit.