Dr Saeed Adam Banda, a distinguished educationist, researcher, and policy analyst, has delivered a critique of the persistent issue of examination malpractice within the Ghanaian education sector.
He attributed the trend to several intertwined factors that necessitate immediate intervention from key stakeholders.
Speaking during an interview on Rainbow Radio’s Nyankonton Mu Nsem, Dr Banda identified insufficient student preparation as the primary driver of cheating in examination halls.
He argued that a significant number of students fail to commit to thorough revision and academic preparation, which subsequently leads them to pursue illicit methods of answering questions under the pressure of the assessment.
Dr Banda emphasised that this lack of readiness cultivates a culture of desperation and urged a systemic shift towards encouraging authentic study habits from an early age.
Furthermore, Dr Banda highlighted the proliferation of technology as a major facilitator of academic dishonesty.
He observed that the accessibility of advanced software and digital devices has made cheating increasingly simple for pupils across the nation, effectively removing the barriers that previously discouraged such conduct.
Whilst acknowledging that technology is a benefit to education, he warned that it has inadvertently enabled exploitation during high-stakes testing.
He called for the implementation of stringent safeguards, including tech-restricted environments and ethics-based digital literacy initiatives.
Dr Banda dismissed suggestions that the breadth of the school curriculum is a contributing factor.
He firmly defended the existing academic framework, maintaining that the requirement of nine subjects is entirely appropriate.
He asserted that the current structure remains consistent with national educational objectives and does not place an undue burden on learners, provided that it is supported by effective teaching methodologies and diligent preparation strategies.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana