There was a priority through the years about what appears to be the dearth of honesty and accountability at main examinations, such because the Primary Training Certificates Examination (BECE) and the West African Senior Secondary Certificates Examination (WASSCE).
This dishonesty additional trickles into the schools of all locations, leaving a lot to be desired.
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has over the previous few years tried to sort out this canker of examination malpractices by instituting sure measures. These have, nevertheless, not been foolproof.
The penchant of scholars, lecturers, dad and mom and related workers who deal with examination questions and syndicates to collude and perpetrate examination malpractices makes one surprise what success really means in our Ghanaian society.
Because the nameless quote goes, success with out integrity is failure ‒ a failure that robs the obvious success of its shine; a ethical and moral failure that we can’t overlook due to the detrimental impression it has on people and the nation at massive.
Whereas the title of the nation is being dragged within the mud, and examination outcomes are consequently not revered internationally, these concerned in these vices are literally denying the younger ones the chance to be accountable and to develop the braveness to face up for his or her values and beliefs once they face powerful decisions and ethical dilemmas in life.
Then we flip round and ask why we sing the nationwide anthem however stand spineless within the face of oppressor’s rule, social injustice and gargantuan corruption. How can we count on God then to bless our homeland Ghana and make her nice and robust?
By permitting and inspiring this misconduct, we’re definitely making a era which is not going to be daring to defend endlessly the reason for freedom and rights.
Perspective
Our perspective in the direction of the conduct of examinations on this nation is a mirrored image of the character that many people have taken on.
An examination of the roots of this ethical erosion (pun meant) exhibits that we’ve really shifted in our societal values and norms over time, inserting much less emphasis on honesty, self-respect, accountability, exhausting work and braveness.
As people, it’s possible many haven’t prioritised these values in their very own lives. We have now turn into individuals who place excessive worth on materials possessions, wealth and standing.
Due to this fact, success in any respect prices is prioritised over moral behaviour. This may end up in an absence of empathy, honesty and equity in interactions with others. That is the time for our ‘celebrities’ to mannequin and advocate for tutorial integrity.
Our kids want sturdy function fashions from their Previous College students’ Associations to problem college authorities, lecturers and candidates to face up for what’s true and good.
Requirements aren’t subjective.
This post-modern ideology that requirements are relative (ethical relativism) should be nipped within the bud to forestall additional decline in integrity. It isn’t okay to cheat in an examination. Interval!
Accountable
We should maintain people and establishments accountable for unethical behaviour and create methods that assist and reinforce ethical values. The adoption of nationwide values is lengthy overdue.
That is how sturdy political and financial methods are created. The weakened belief in an academic system that’s imagined to be truthful and incorruptible, particularly when it has to do with admissions and placements, has made unethical behaviour additionally justifiable.
As we enter this new examination season, might these dedicated to fostering examination malpractices be reminded that the top can by no means justify the means. It is because integrity is the essence of all the pieces profitable (R. B Fuller).
All the most effective to those that are engaged within the struggle to stem this sickness from our society, and kudos to all dad and mom, lecturers and college students who’re decided to face up for integrity. Honesty is actually the most effective legacy!
The author is a Baby Improvement Knowledgeable/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA.
E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk