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.

Taofeek Sanusi     Sam Onile     Wahab Agbaje     Abdullahi Samari     Alliance For Democracy     Abdulhakeem Adelaja Amao     Young Progressives Party     Veterinary Teaching Hospital     Abdullahi Biffo     Riskat Opakunle     Fatai Olodo     Mohammed Yisa     Maigida Soludero Transit     Durosinlohun Atiku     Oko     Ope Saraki     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Sheikh Ridhwanullah     AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Simon Sayomi     Saka Aleshinloye     Abdulmumini Jawondo     Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency     Quarry Royal Valley     Valsolar Consortium     Public Holiday     Falokun-Oja     Okin Biscuit     Nigeria Foundation For Artificial Intelligence     Olusin Of Ijara Isin     Owo Arugbo     Sardauna Of Ilorin     Wahab Egbewole     Suleiman Mora Omar     Bello John Olanrewaju     Jamiu Oyawoye     Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore     Olaitan Adefila     Abdulraheem Olesin     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Kwara 2015     Bank Of Industry     Ethical College     Tuesday Assayomo     Akeem Olatunji     Abdulganiy Abimbola Abdussalam     Gbenga Olawepo     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association     Baakini     Bolaji Nagode     Bola Magaji     Sabo-Oke     Nigeria Customs Service     Council Of The Wise     Adesoye College     Government Girls’ Day Secondary School Pakata     All Confederation Of Principals Of Secondary Schools     Gobir     Babs Iwarere     Onikijipa     Osi     Amule Elementary School     Amasa     Alloy Chukwuemeka     Kola Ologbondiyan     Ilorin.Info     Abiodun Abdulkareem     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Sheikh Hamzat Yusuf Ariyibi     Ado Bayero     Dairo Kunle Paul     Owu Fall     Ahmed Alhasssan     Sayomi     Hussein Olokooba     08001000100    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Shoprite     ANCOPPS     Saheed Akinwumi     Kunle Okeowo     Lukman Adeloyin     Jalala     Shuaib Jawondo     Yusuf Zulu-Gambari     Baboko     Ahmad Lawan     Toyin Sanusi     Abdulkareem Alabi     CLAY POT     Oba Mogaji Abdulkadir     Ayo Opadokun     Kayode Issa     Abubakar Lah     Pakata Patriots     Col. Taiwo     Yakub Ali-Agan     Gbadeyan Gbadura Yomi     Ahmad Ali     Abdullahi Biffo     Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu     Obasanjo     Kwara State Council Of Chiefs     Kazeem Adekanye     Vishvas KOZ Tractors     Abiodun Oyedepo     Afonja Descendants Union     Matthew Babaoye     Babs Iwarere     Mamman Saba Jibril     Bareke     Doyin Agbamu     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Simeon Ajibola     Ayobami Seriki     Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Ajibola Saliu Ajia     Muftau Akanbi Oke     Idiagbon     Bolaji Abdullahi     Ilorin Durbar     Alimi     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     Ilorin South     KWACOBPA     Gani Saadu     Onilu     Markaz Arabic And Islamic Training Institute, Agege     Apado     Ayobola Ipinlaiye     Ayo Adeyemi     Oro Grammar School Old Students Association     Sabi     Lawal Arinola Kudirat     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants     Abdulganiyu Oladosu     Sa\'adu Gambari     Oba Sulaiman Asude     Modibbo Kawu     Ajibike Katibi     Bilikisu Gambari     Yusuf Aiyedun     Minister     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Kwabes     Gafaru Olayiwola Olorisade     Umar Ahmed Gunu     Surajudeen Akanbi     Budo Egba     Valsolar Consultoria     NYSC     Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed     Kayode Zubair