Stay away from corruption, exam malpractices – Christian council

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) as part of interventions to address issues of corruption and examination malpractices in schools yesterday interacted with some students from selected senior high schools across the country.

The project which is under the Council’s Christian’s against Corruption in Education in Ghana (CaCiEG) sought to educate the youth to stay away from examination malpractices and other corrupt practices.

The day’s event drew participants from various second cycle institutions across the country including Aggrey Memorial, St Charles Seminary, Manya Krobo Senior High School and Osei Tutu Senior High School, among others.

As part of activities under the initiative, students who took part in an essay exercise at the regional and national level were awarded for their efforts.

The project which is currently being run in 27 selected senior high schools across the country is being implemented in partnership with Lead Afrique International, a non-governmental organisation with support from Star Ghana.

Reverend Dr Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of the Council in his remarks said corruption was plaguing the country’s educational system hence the need to engage the students on issues of corruption and other malpractices.

He noted that the link between examination malpractice and corruption was inseparable.

Citing the 2019 report on examination malpractices from the West African Examinational Council (WAEC), Rev. Dr Fayose noted that more than 48,000 students were involved in various forms of examination malpractices stressing that “We cannot continue like this and expect an upright society.”

Commending government’s efforts in redefining the country’s educational system, he urged government to broaden its consultations and deepen consensus on the challenges in the reforms.

He indicated that a couple of government policies and programmes needed re-examination as some had generated negative effects that gave grounds for corruption and examination malpractices to fester.

The General Secretary of the Council said the instability in the academic calendar of secondary school by successive governments had not allowed students ample time to cover the entire academic syllabus.

He noted that the effect had allowed teachers and students to resort to fair and foul means to pass examination.

Additionally, Rev. Dr Fayose mentioned that the detachment of Parent Teacher Association (PTA) from school management was gradually crippling the effectiveness of the body. 
He further urged parents to play critical roles in the upbringing of their wards and closely monitor them.

BY ALLIA NOSHIE