Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, a Political Scientist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, has raised concerns about the growing trend of examination malpractice, describing it as a disturbing ritual that is undermining Ghana’s education system.
Speaking on JoyNews, Dr Asah-Asante lamented the recurrence of exam-related misconduct across the country. “Every year, students sit for exams, and every year, cases of malpractice are reported. Yet, little is done to effectively address the problem,” he noted.
More alarming, he said, is the active involvement of parents in these unethical practices. “It is deeply troubling that some parents are directly participating in the scheme, attempting to acquire exam questions ahead of time for their children. This points to a serious societal issue: the collapse of proper socialisation,” he stressed.
According to him, the traditional systems of value transmission, from childhood to adulthood are breaking down. “Parents, who should be the first to guide their children in becoming responsible citizens, are now enabling them to cheat. When role models fail, what can we expect of the next generation?”
Dr Asah-Asante also criticised some teachers for their role in fuelling the malpractice. “There are educators who promise to provide answers to students as exams approach and sadly, many follow through. With this kind of enabling environment, it’s no surprise that malpractice continues to grow.”
He called for a national change in mindset. “We must all resolve to do our best without resorting to shortcuts. Cutting corners serves no one in the long run. Any society built on dishonesty is bound to collapse.”
