EXPOSED! Private Schools Help Students Cheat During Exams — NECO Official

Students of private secondary schools do not prepare for examinations because they can count on illegal assistance from their schools' teaching staff.

An invigilator participating at the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations said this in Kaduna according to a report.

The, official, John Musa (not real name), said private schools assist their students in unconventional ways, thereby encouraging them not to study.

“In the private schools, majority of students don’t prepare for examinations because they are sure they would be assisted in the examination hall.

"Even in subjects like Hausa, Yoruba, IRK and CRS among others, students still depend on assistance to be able to write," he said.

The official added that where private school students are caught in malpractice they are given only a slap on the wrist.

“In private schools, sometimes when invigilators or security personnel catch a student or teacher in an act and they are given malpractice forms to fill, the school principal or proprietor would go behind to settle some people and retrieve the form."

Musa warned that the situation, which is getting worse, will rub off on the educational system.

If things go on like this, our education system will collapse in no time.

"So there is need for urgent intervention because we cannot afford to be graduating thousands of students who cannot get the five credits they need to get admission into higher institutions," he said.

He alleged that external invigilators are part of the malpractice mess, aiding dubious school management for financial gains.