By Alex Abutu
I was so embarrassed when JAMB broke the news that the little unknown girl, Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma, allegedly falsified her scores to emerge as the candidate with the highest score in the last Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination written by over one million candidates.
I use the word alleged because it never crossed my mind that a mere 17-year-old would be able to commit such a crime in a country where the news of rebirth and attitudinal change is seriously being preached everyday in schools, religious places and within the family circles.
Cheating in any examination is an unethical practice that undermines the integrity of the educational system. It’s important to note that cheating is illegal and goes against the principles of fairness and honesty.
Cheating in the JAMB examination can take various forms, including impersonation, this involves hiring someone else to take the exam on behalf of the actual candidate using fake identification or other fraudulent means; or it may be malpractice, this includes actions such as smuggling unauthorized materials into the examination hall, copying or sharing answers during the exam, or using electronic devices to access prohibited information.
It may also be when candidates collude with each other to exchange answers or share information during the examination or the leakage of examination questions before the actual exam date thereby giving certain individuals an unfair advantage.
It’s worth noting that JAMB and other examination bodies in Nigeria have been taking steps to curb cheating and ensure the integrity of their examinations. Measures such as increased security, biometric verification, random allocation of examination centers, and the use of technology to monitor exam halls have been implemented to minimize cheating.
Furthermore, there are legal consequences for engaging in examination malpractice. Offenders can face penalties such as disqualification from the examination, cancellation of results, and even legal action.
What happened to our moral standards? Ejikeme was a student at the Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, Anambra State. Is that what the school taught her? I read news that the school management held a meeting with her when JAMB accused her. Why did the school not get the truth from her?
Is the school aware of the fraud? I did not hear her father’s comment on the whole saga. I remember when we were growing up, one of the serious cautions that our parents handed to us before we embarked on any journey was to remember the child of whom you are. Do parents no longer dish out such warnings?
I think it is very important to maintain the integrity of the education system and promote a fair and transparent process, it is crucial for students to uphold ethical standards and prepare for examinations through legitimate means such as studying, practicing past questions, and seeking guidance from teachers and mentors.
The way and manner JAMB approached the issue was not the best considering the age of the little girl and the implication it will have on her character. In a country where people suffering from illnesses they have no control over are stigmatized, I wonder then how this poor girl will cope with the rest of her life, now that it is proven that she forged her result.
JAMB would have secretly investigated the situation and invited the candidate, her school and her parents for a meeting before going on a live Television to prove their case.
If JAMB investigated the fraud, we want to know what they found and what they plan to do. Suspending the young girl for three years is not enough. The crime was committed with many culprits because I am certain she couldn’t have possibly carried out the manipulation alone.
We have not heard of any arrest or investigation in relations to this shameful practice. This matter should not be giving political colorization as is always the case in the country. A crime has been committed which has now opened our eyes to manipulations that can be done with JAMB results. It no longer matters what tribe the little girl is. She must be made to name those who assisted her so that they can be shamed and if possible jailed to serve as a warning to others.
