On Thursday, the newly appointed South-West Zonal Director of the National Examination Council (NECO), Deborah Fukop, addressed the pervasive issue of examination malpractices in Nigeria, pinpointing the supervisors, primarily teachers, as the culprits compromising the integrity of the system.
Contrary to the popular notion, Fukop emphasized that the council itself isn’t to blame for the prevalence of malpractices.
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During her courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, at his Alarere residence in Oyo State, Fukop announced her posting to the zone and sought collaboration with the traditional institution to enhance the operational efficiency of NECO in the region. This collaboration aims to curb the persistent challenge of examination malpractices, a concern that the Olubadan had previously urged NECO to address, emphasizing its potential to tarnish the institution’s reputation.
Fukop, who thanked the monarch for the frank talk, said,
“We are conscious of our revered father’s observation and we are not folding arms because of the importance and strategic position we find ourselves. We cannot afford to fail the country, but our Royal Father will agree with me that we only conduct examinations while our supervisors, who are teachers are responsible for the execution.
“There are enough mechanisms in place to check malpractices before, during, and after the examinations, but, if and when those saddled with the responsibility at any of the stages compromise the system, we become helpless. Nevertheless, we are up and doing as we give sanctions to schools and individuals found culpable as remarked by Your Imperial Majesty.”
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In response, the Olubadan stressed the vital role that NECO plays as the gatekeepers for higher institutions nationwide, underscoring the necessity for the body to intensify its efforts in combatting this detrimental practice.
Balogun said,
“The future of this country is in your hands in that whatever you turn out as finished products through our national examination, the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination is what our tertiary institutions must as a compulsion admit because they must admit students if they don’t want to CLOSE DOWN.”
“You owe it a duty to give us the best for the sake of our future. The news we normally hear about the conduct of your examinations is not at all cheering, yet, it is compulsory that our children pass through you. One cannot but acknowledge the efforts being made to tackle the menace by way of sanctioning schools and some individuals involved, we want you to do more because of our future.” Olubadan urged.
