The pursuit of knowledge may be expensive but the lack thereof is even more so. Ignorance is costly. As a result, education is often seen as a source of pride for those who attain it.
However, Nigerian students encounter gridlocks in their quest to get educated. The stress involved is a trade mark of Nigeria’s education system and it goes beyond the exorbitant fees.
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Registration is currently ongoing for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examinations. In the process of making enquiries on the registration fee, I uncovered some rather disturbing practices.
The registration fee stands at N30, 000 but could be more, depending on the school. That the fees at one school differs to the fees at another, is already problematic in itself. However, I was also informed that there are extra fees for candidates to participate in examination malpractice.
Is money more important than virtue?
Conjuring up an extra fee is a sure avenue to extort students. Labelling it a malpractice fee is unbelievably bold. There are many parents who already struggle to raise the funds for the WAEC registration. Asking them to pay more than necessary is inhumane.
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‘’Many schools make ‘runs’ fee compulsory because the money is for bribing the invigilators. If any school does not extort the students, they have to pay from their own purse. For schools that do not pay, they will get negative remarks from the WAEC invigilators,’’ a secondary school teacher in Lagos said.
This statement gives credence to the reduction in academic knowledge. Even when a student has adequately prepared for an exam, it becomes inconsequential if they do not pay to pass.
The role of stakeholders – parents, teachers, and the government
The extent to which corruption has eaten deep into the education system is quite worrisome. It is equally disturbing that many parents have given up on any positive change in the education system.
There are many parents who offer to pay before they are even asked. There is an unspoken acceptance that knowledge is not the only prerequisite to pass exams in Nigeria. You need connection and money.
Some teachers now bank on the corruption in the education system to enrich themselves. Students who wish to solely depend on their academic prowess are often mocked. Hence, examination malpractice becomes the final resort.
Furthermore, the continuous demand by the culprits has left both parents and students with limited options. The consequence of non-compliance is seized results.
No one likes to be compelled to follow a path that would make their personal abilities feel less important. If the necessary actions are not taken to curb this menace to Nigeria’s education system, it will remain a reoccurring issue.
There is hope in sight for the system to be cleansed. It might be a tough one but it is possible.
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