CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Nigerian system of education has been facing several problems contending against the standard of education in the state. A good example of these is the existence of examination malpractice which oen took place in special examination centers, though several other factors militate against the low standard of education like inadequate instructional materials, inadequate building or structure, unqualified teachers among others. Due to the consistency of this problem a number of measures have been put in place to check it. Fr example, unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) 2011 introduced finger thumb printing to check the increasing rate of this evil in our society. In a world govern by science and technology, education is the most powerful instrument for achieving development and empowering the citizens to contribute meaningfully to technology and to compete for survival.
In common terms, what is special examination centres? No dictionary definition has categorically defined these terms specifically, rather special has been defined just as examination and the term centre has also be defined. Special is something that is not meant for everybody that is not for the general public, while examination is a formal written, spoke or practical test, especially at school or college to see how much you know about a subject, or middle point or part of something or a building or place used for a particular purpose or activity (Oxford Advanced Learners dictionary 6th Edition), special examination centres can therefore be deduced as any activity that exists within the four corners of education that gives preferences to some selected individuals or group of people to pass their examination.
However, these centres has used many method to assist their students during the examination in order for them to pass their examination such method include getting examination question paper before examination date and time, impersonation, replacing the answer script written in the examination hall with that written at home texting of objectives through cell-phone to client cell-phone when question must have been solved bribing the supervisor or invigilator to corporate with the examination hall and removing security from the students in the examination hall, are all in the name of making money.
Moreover, special examination centre have affected the standard of education in Nigeria as it becomes possible for person to obtain certificate when he cannot defend. It is the same set of non-performing graduates that manage the industries and government positions. In conclusion, the pertinent question now is; why is our standard of education low in Nigeria, or what is the state of educational system and influencing factors for the falling standard? What strategy can be deployed to?
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The standard of education has been affected greatly as a result of special examination centres former president of the federal republic of Nigeria Dr. Olusegun Obasanjo (2005) said that students in Nigeria perceived education as a means of getting meal ticket (certificate) and getting job. As a result of this trend, morality and honesty have been thrown to the dogs to pass examination and obtain certificate so long as emphasis is not on one’s performance but o the paper first. Many holders of certificates cannot practically defend them through their performance.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to; 1. Investigate into the impact of special examination centres on College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin (Colben) and University of Benin, Benin City (UNIBEN). 2. Measures to curb examination malpractice in Edo State.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work is of great importance to the curriculum planners, those who wish to carry further studies on the topic and to the society at large. To the curriculum planners, the findings will help them plan the curriculum to meet up with the lapses created by special education or examination centres in the system of education in Edo State. Such lapses could be lack of self-confidence, student inability to take their studies serious, not academically balance etc. what will be of our future education if this trend has to continue? Finally, the study will be of great importance to those who wish to carry out further studies on the topic because it will serve as a resource material for them.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study would cover the performance of special examination centres on low standard of education in tertiary institutions in Edo State. The choice of this scope is genre towards knowing the impact and influence of special examination centres on low standard of education in Edo State College of Education Ekiadolor (Colben) and the University of Benin (Uniben).
