The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education held a one-day sensitisation program on how to curb the menace of examination malpractice in Schools across the State at St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School Amarata, Yenagoa;
With the theme: Artificial Intelligence emerging trend in Teaching Learning and Examination malpractice in Secondary schools.
In his opening remarks, the Director of secondary Education, Mr. Akunna Oweilayefa recounted that last years sensitisation was suspended due to unforseen circumstances, adding that the use of AI in Examination malpractice will be checked in this years Examination as no two candidates would answer same questions in core subjects.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Education Hon. Dr Gentle Epilefa Emelah represented by the Permanent Secretary Mr Okene Simon-peter, emphasised the need to shun Examination malpractice so as to enable the state graduate students who would be proud of the results they carry.
He described Examination malpractice as an Immoral behaviour which can be likened to stealing, of which the influence of AI when used has its own benefits worse for Examination malpractice and adviced principals to discourage it.
On his part, the Branch Controller of WAEC Bayelsa State, Mr Oladele O.E who spoke on the theme, emphasized on vigilance on the part of the Principals, reiterated the importance of artificial intelligence and how it has made life easier but harped on the need to guard against the negative effects of the technology.
Mr. Oladele also called on Community Leaders to support government in the fight against examination malpractice saying collaborating with their natives in their domains over time have aided the act and advised such collaborations to stop.
Also speaking, State Coordinator of National Examination Council (NECO) Dr. Nnamso Akpan acknowledged the importance of AI to research in teaching and learning calling for it to be limited to learning and not for examination malpractice.
He ended by stressing that Examination malpractice thrive due to its financial benefit charging Principals and other examination stakeholders to strive to maintain best practices as unprofessional conducts could wreck their long standing careers.
Prof. Victor Torubelli of the Niger Delta University also stressed on the importance of artificial intelligence and how WAEC and NECO should key in just as Jamb has done adding voice to the call for students to shun it’s use for examination malpractices
All speakers unanimously agreed that restricting phones and other gadgets into the examination halls will combat the use of AI in carrying out examination malpractices during examinations charging examination bodies to improve on invigilation.
In her vote of thanks, Desk Officer External Examinations Mnistry of Education, Madam Beke-ere Zuokumo appreciated all stakeholders in the education sector for ensuring the success of the important annual sensitization program.
The colorful event witnessed Cultural display by Students of St Judes Girls Secondary School Amarata and a presentation by Boys of Bishop Dimeari Grammar School (BDGS) Yenagoa.
