Curbing Examination Malpractices in Africa: Content Analysis

Stella Muchemwa Lecturer, Languages and Communication Department Solusi University. muchemwas@solusi.ac.zw
Dhliwayo Alice Lecturer, Languages and Communication Department Solusi University, Zimbabwe dhliwayoam@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: This comprehensive study intended to find out the practical ways that can be used to curb examination malpractices in African countries using Content Analysis technique. The researchers divided Africa into three distinctive regions, namely: South and Central, North and West as well as East Africa; then they collected examination malpractice data that dates back to 2010 from the internet. This Corpus based descriptive research employed a five-step qualitative data treatment process starting with (a) collection of related data (b) data thinning (c) data coding (d) identifying patterns and themes, and (e) data interpretation. Findings showed that examination malpractices are variegated: there are official perpetuated malpractices such as examination leakages; illegal assisting candidates, poor invigilation and fabricated student course work. It also goes to students’ acts like, taking foreign assisting materials into the examination room; using programmable calculators; body writing; impersonation and stealing of examination question papers before the set date. Students’ anxiety, undisciplined and uncommitted students, poor examination related facilities (for instance, transport, security, committed workers, and supportive government) and lack of enforcing examination laws cause examination malpractices.