Examination Malpractice Handling by Invigilators Rules Ethics Implications

Examination Malpractice Handling by Invigilators: Rules, Ethics, Implications and Best Practices By Dr. Koholga Ormin Department of Accounting, Adamawa State University, Mubi A PAPER PRESENTED AT A ONE DAY WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE ADAMAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, MUBI FOR ACADEMIC STAFF WITH THEME “SENSITISATION WORKSHOP ON EXAMINATION ETHICS” ON 2 ND NOV. , 2018

Preamble �It is a privilege and honour to present this paper at this workshop. �In a special way, may I acknowledge the Ag. VC who since assumption of duty has embarked on series of workshops for the personnel of the University with a view to acquaint them with the best practices for effective and maximal performance.

Workshop Purpose/Concerns/Aim �Purpose: This workshop is one of the series focused particularly on examination invigilation and malpractice handling. �Concerns: ü Examination malpractice is one of the growing evils in the Nigerian University system. ü The consequences are overwhelming both on the University system and the national economy.

Workshop Purpose/Concerns/Aim Cont. �Aim: üAcademic staff are vested with the duty of the conduct and invigilation of examination. üHence, it behoves on us to be conversant with the rules and best practices on examination malpractice handling. üThis will serve in preventing the act and most importantly set the machinery for its investigation and sanction by the University authorities.

Expectation �It is my hope that after this presentation, we as academic staff will re-acquaint ourselves with: i. the University rules regarding examination malpractice, and ii. our supposed conduct to prevent and report examination malpractice cases.

What is Examination Malpractice/Misconduct? • Examination malpractice is any undue advantage that a student receives : übefore, üduring and üafter examination. • Examination misconduct is any behaviour against the rules specified to regulate an examination e. g rudeness of a student to an invigilator, a student smoking or eating or drinking in the examination hall etc.

Focus of Paper �The concern of this paper is the aspect of examination malpractice or misconduct perpetuated solely by students and in examination hall(s). NOTE: �Pages 17 -18 and 19 of the ADSU, Mubi Handbook on Examination Regulations 2004 stipulates irregularities that constitute examination misconduct by University Staff and penalties. �Similar provisions are found on pages 31 -33 of the ADSU, Mubi Undergraduate Students’ Handbook, Second Edition 2012.

Irregularities by Students that Constitute Examination Malpractice/Misconduct A. Examination Misconduct: ü Refusal to be searched at exams hall entrance; ü Sitting for an examination not eligible for or not registered, ü Rudeness, insubordination, obstructing, and assaulting the invigilator or any other authorised person; ü Fighting or assaulting another student; ü Noise making;

Irregularities by Students that Constitute Examination Malpractice/Misconduct Cont. ü Smoking, eating or drinking; ü Borrowing materials from others without seeking permission to do so; ü Carrying materials not relevant to the examination; ü Change of seat without permission; ü Writing examination during suspension or rustification; ü Writing before commencement or when asked to stop; ü Leaving examination hall during the last 15 minutes; and ü Refusal to complete examination malpractice or misconduct form.

Irregularities by Students that Constitute Examination Malpractice/Misconduct Cont. B. Examination Malpractice: üCollaborated copying or giraffing; üExchange of answer scripts or question paper containing relevant jottings; üWriting on question paper; üVerbal communication; üPossession of relevant written materials; üImpersonation;

Irregularities by Students that Constitute Examination Malpractice/Misconduct Cont. ü Entering examination with already prepared answer booklet or removing booklet out of the hall; ü Exchange of examination numbers on answer booklet; ü Attempt to remove, replace, alter, add, destroy or delete a part of what is written in answer booklet; ü Refusal to surrender or destroying of incriminating evidence for malpractice; and ü Forging of examination card, ID card or any other relevant document.

Irregularities by Students that Constitute Examination Malpractice/Misconduct Cont. C. Other Offenses: üSiting for examination without 75% attendance, üEntering examination without examination card or University Identity Card, üComing for examination 30 minutes after commencement, üNot properly dressed.

Causes of Examination Malpractice • There are many but I will want to reiterate the following: üPoor coverage of syllabus by course lecturers, üNone attendance at lectures, üInadequate preparation by students, üDesperation either to obtain a particular grade or graduate, üSocial activities, üEtc…

Indicators of Examination Malpractice by Students in Exams Hall • There are common signs that students perpetrating or contemplating examination malpractice exhibit in examination halls. • Invigilators can arrest examination malpractice by watching out for these signs. ü Refusal to be searched at the entrance, ü Restlessness, ü Focus on invigilator, ü Form cluster, ü Often seek permission to leave the hall, ü Sitting and positioning booklet in abnormal way, ü Noise making.

University Rules on Exams Malpractice/Misconduct Handling �The two documents on examination regulation stipulates the following four (4) courses of action are to be taken by the invigilator: ü Must get essential witness and exhibit and inform the student of his/her alleged offence, ü Write a comprehensive report on the prescribed form immediately, ü Allowed the student to complete his/her examination with a new answer script, provided the student is not violent, and ü Promptly submit the written report to the HOD, who in turn submits to the Faculty Dean who also is to inform the Vice-Chancellor.

Ethics/Best Practices of Exams Malpractice/Misconduct Handling �The University authorities and in particular, invigilators are to observe the following fundamental ethics and best practice. ü Publication of University Examination Regulation on notice boards two (2) weeks to exams. ü Earliness to the examination venue at least 1 hour before commencement. ü Screen candidates before admission into the examination hall. ü Female invigilators should screen female students while male invigilators do same for male students. ü Direct the sitting arrangement of candidates. ü Make sure that there is reasonable space between the sitting positions of candidates.

Ethics/Best Practices of Exams Malpractice/Misconduct Handling Cont. ü Require of candidates to pick up any material around them and properly dispose-off. ü Announce to candidates before commencement of examination that no one is to have incriminating material on him/her and that, if any is in possession, it should be surrendered. ü Set personal differences or grievances with candidates aside and invigilate in accordance with University examination rules. ü Complete the prescribed form in the manner required and attach examination malpractice evidence.

Ethics/Best Practices of Exams Malpractice/Misconduct Handling Cont. üGet witnesses (at least another invigilator and student) to attest on the malpractice form to the examination malpractice incident. üGive another answer script (booklet) to a candidate caught in the act of examination malpractice provided he/her is not violent. üDo any other lawful thing possible to prevent booking candidates for examination malpractice.

Implications of Inappropriate Handling of Exams Malpractice/Misconduct �Inappropriate handling of examination malpractice cases by invigilators has some of the following far-reaching implications: ü Wrong meting out of penalties on students. ü Hinder effective investigation by relevant committees. ü Safety of the invigilator. ü Invigilator may him/herself face disciplinary action from the University authorities’. ü Inability of the University Senate to apply the maximal penalty. ü It may lead to unnecessary but avoidable court cases between students and the University.

Other Pertinent Matters �The following are some important matters that invigilators often times mishandle related to exams malpractice/misconduct. üMeting out of penalties. üCancellation of paper. üShifting of examination.

Conclusion �Examination malpractice is a menace within the University system �Invigilators have a crucial role not only in its prevention but also investigation and meting out of appropriate penalties on culprits by the relevant University authorities. �However, inappropriate handling by invigilators may jeopardise the investigation and application of penalties in addition to other implications as discussed in this paper.

Conclusion Cont. �Hence, invigilators must endeavour to be knowledgeable of the university examination regulations. �This will enable them properly handle examination malpractice and misconduct cases. �The adoption of best practices cannot be overemphasised.

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