Teachers cheating on exams for students is a serious issue that undermines the integrity of the educational system. The Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) as the examining body has implemented a number of measures to curb cheating on exams. Some of these measures include:
Strict supervision: UNEB has increased the number of supervisors and invigilators to ensure strict supervision during exams.
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Having sitting scouts: many schools in the currently concluded exams had sitting scouts that acted as a preemptive measure to ensure no inside-the-room cheating happens and students come early for exams. This has however not been the case at many centers also
Strict penalties: UNEB has implemented strict penalties for cheating, including revocation of exam results, the sitting number, and teacher licence.
Examination malpractice monitoring unit: UNEB has created an examination malpractice monitoring unit to investigate and take action against any cases of cheating.
Encouraging students to speak out: UNEB has encouraged students to speak out if they witness any cheating during exams
These measures are intended to create a more fair and honest exam environment and to ensure that the results of the exams accurately reflect the knowledge and abilities of the students. However, it’s worth noting that cheating is a complex problem and no single measure can completely eliminate it. It’s important to continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures and to work together to create a culture of integrity in education.
But why do the teachers cheat even after all these measures?
One reason is pressure to meet academic standards. Teachers may feel pressure to ensure that their students perform well on standardized tests in order to meet state and federal academic standards. This pressure may lead teachers to cheat on exams in order to artificially inflate their students’ test scores.
Another reason is job security. In some cases, teachers may feel that their job security depends on their students’ test scores. Many ‘big schools’ have this condition for teacher’s retention and this leads to cheating
Another reason is to compensate for lack of resources or support. Teachers may not have the resources or support they need to help their students succeed. They may cheat on exams in order to make up for these shortcomings and give their students a better chance of success. This is true for science subjects and ICT/Computer studies
Additionally, some teachers may cheat for the students out of care or compassion, feeling that the student is in a difficult situation and will not succeed without help. Though rare, but yes it happens
Whatever the reasons, cheating on exams undermines the integrity of the educational system and is a serious violation of professional ethical standards. Worth to note is the new UNEB act that has more stringent measures and punishments for the vice. Additionally, it is crucial to educate teachers and the public on the ethical and legal ramifications of cheating.
It’s important to note that cheating is not a solution, it’s a problem. It not only undermines the integrity of the educational system but also hinders the student’s ability to learn and grow. As a society, we should strive to provide the best education possible in an ethical and fair way, this way we can ensure that our students are truly prepared for the future
Concerned teacher
