Education minister Alausa issues warning to school owners, parents over examination malpractice
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has cautioned parents, teachers, proprietors, principals, invigilators and students to desist from examination malpractice, declaring that the Federal Government is determined to sanitise public examinations under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an engagement with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and other education stakeholders, Alausa described examination malpractice as a problem that has taken deep root and is creating an uneven playing field for students who study diligently.
According to him, the act corrupts assessment outcomes, puts honest learners at a disadvantage, and erodes public trust in certificates issued by Nigerian schools.
The minister who emphasised that curbing the menace cannot be left to students alone, said every player in the education value chain has a role to play and called on parents, teachers, proprietors, principals and invigilators to enforce examination regulations, create conducive learning environments and reject any practice that gives candidates undue access to question papers or answers.
Alausa disclosed that government is putting stronger structures in place to secure the conduct of public examinations so that results will accurately reflect students’ ability and effort.
He explained that these steps are part of the broader reforms being driven by the Tinubu administration to raise academic standards, entrench accountability and restore confidence in Nigeria’s examination process.
Also speaking, the minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, appealed to private school owners and other stakeholders to back the ongoing reforms.
She warned that tighter controls may at first reveal learning gaps because some learners who excel in school tests have grown used to getting leaked external exam questions.
When such access is blocked, she noted, their true level of preparation becomes evident.
Ahmad further said that the Ministry will be deploying serialised examination questions to make it harder for leaked materials to circulate, and that this will compel students to prepare properly.
She urged schools to ensure timely completion of the curriculum and promote steady, consistent learning.
She assured stakeholders of continued collaboration and support from the Ministry as the reforms are rolled out, stressing that the aim is to make examination results a true reflection of what students know and can do.
