For Kwara, an Emblem of Shame. By Segun Adeniyi

Date: 2020-02-04

News that no fewer than 165 secondary schools in Kwara State have been indicted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for widespread cheating during the last examinations is both shocking and embarrassing. "Examination malpractice constitutes some of the worst hindrance to a bright future because it negates the time tested principles of hard work, diligence, and thirst for knowledge and excellence," said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who has promised to redress the situation.

However, whichever way one looks at the disgraceful development, this is a relapse to the pre-2007 era when the state was one of the hottest destinations for examination malpractices in the country; with the so-called "miracle centres", mainly in the rural areas. The reform launched by the then commissioner for education in the state, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi (who would later be minister) tackled this menace aggressively. Improving the quality of teaching in schools was at the centre of his reform, appropriately named 'Every Child Counts'. With support from the World Bank and the DFID/ESSPIN programmes, Kwara became a reference point for what was possible, including prosecuting people for examination offences. WAEC recognized these efforts and wrote a letter commending the state government at the time.

Unfortunately, the government that took over in 2011 lacked either the will or the capacity to sustain the efforts of the preceding years, even though they all belonged to the same party. This failure of policy continuity, among others, is a major governance challenge in Nigeria. The shameful WAEC report is also a direct indicator of everything that has gone wrong with our country—the failure of governance and the collapse of our value system.

Meanwhile, although the incident that led to the current decision by WAEC happened under the last administration, the ball is now squarely in the court of Governor AbdulRazaq. Yet available reports on the quality of appointment he has made to the education ministry are, to put it mildly, not encouraging. An inexperienced elementary school teacher who has her own struggles with English language can hardly inspire confidence to lead the necessary reform in a critical sector. The governor should either review this appointment or personally lead the charge.

Parents too have a great role to play. They must be made to understand the connection between examination malpractices and the endemic joblessness among their wards. The 21st century job market does not care so much for certificates as it does for the real skill that the prospective employee brings to the market. Those who obtain certificates through fraudulent means will eventually meet their nemesis when they cannot justify such credentials with actual competence.

For Governor AbdulRasak, the challenge in Kwara State cannot be made clearer.

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Olawuyi     Revenue Court     State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     Nurudeen Muhammed     Kale Ayo     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     Sardauna     Danhawa     Igosun     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Emir Of Lafiagi     Ilorin General Hospital     Kayode Ibrahim     Kemi Adeosun     Al-Hikmah Radio     Yusuf Mubarak     Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim     Students Union Government     Olayinka Are     Ajayi Okasanmi     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Muhammad Mustapha Suleiman     Bola Ahmed Tinubu     Bayer Nigeria Limited     Olupako Of Share     Hauwa Nuru     Gbenga Awoyale     Folorunsho Erubu     Gobir     Oke-Oyi     Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu     Bolakale Ayo     Odo-Owa     Garba Ado Sanni     Mohammed Abduraheem     Oloriegbe     Budo-Egba     S.O. Opowoye     Aliyu Muhammed     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     Makama Of Ilorin     Yomi Adeboye     Umar Gunu     Ajikobi     Bamidele Adegoke     Omoniyi Ayinla     A.E. Afolabi     Onilorin Of Ilorin     Gbugbu International Market     Yusuf Arowosaye     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum     Isiaka Yusuf     Maimunat Oloriegbe     Assayomo     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association     Gbemisola Saraki     Orisa Bridge     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     KWASSIP     M.Y. Abdulrahaman     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Millennium Development Goals     Salary     Adamu Jemilat-Baki     Mashood Abdulrafiu Agboola     Abdulrasaq Alaro     Basic Education Certificate Examination     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Mohammed Katsina Ahmed     Muhammadu Gobir     Balikis Jawondo     Sa\'adu Salau     Basit Olatunji     Kwara 2023    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Sheriff Olanrewaju     Isiaq Khadeejah     IDPU     Abdulrauf Aliyu     Tinubu     Olajumoke Monsura Gafar     Magaji Nda     John Kehinde Salako     Alao Ayotunde     Awodun     Abdulbaqi Jimoh     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Www.Kwarareports.com     Ojo Fadumila     Idris Garuba     Aliyu Kora Sabi     Special Adviser On Digital Innovation     Danladi     Oke-Oyi     Undergraduate Bursary     Charles Ibitoye     Kabir Shagaya     Kehinde Boyede     Omotoso     Opolo Global Innovation Limited     Ayinde Oki     Jumoke Gafar     Ileloke     Roseline Oni Aremu     Shehu Salau     Tayo Alao     Salake     Rapheal Ashaolu     JUSUN     Bola Sagaya     Maimunat Oloriegbe     Rashidi Yekini     Hijab     Hassan Oyeleke     Ajasse-Ipo     Saheed Popoola     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Mohammed Yahaya Barki     Inside Kwara     11th Galadima     Jide Oyinloye     Radio SBS     Garba Dogo     Junior Secondary School Certificate Examinations     Aso-ofi     Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir     Harmony Holdings     Mashood Dauda     Hakeem Lawal     Rotimi Samuel Olujide     Sobi FM     Third Estate     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     Tunji Oyawoye     Wale Oladepo     Sulu Gambari     Mary Arinde     Offorjama     Ayotunde Emmanuel Alao     March 28     Senate Presidency     Yusuf Abdulkadir     Congress For National Consensus     Kayode Issa     Lanre Issa-Onilu     Amule Elementary School     Tricycle Owners Association Of Nigeria     Galadiman Ngeri     Sunset Workers     Ebola     Yunus Oniboki     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association