Examination malpractice has gone digital as perpetrators leverage internet capabilities and websites to increase both reach and sophistication in Nigeria.
For as little as N400 ($1.11), the sites send answers to candidates of the on-going West Africa Examination’s (WAEC) Senior Secondary Examination questions for Physics and N300 ($0.83) for Geography.
“It is really a sad development. Recently, while I was away on vacation, I got an email from my office that needed immediate attention. The email said my office had just received information about five websites where students can access the WAEC examination questions and answers, 24 hours before the time” Ronke Soyombo, Director General, Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance said during an education convention at the weekend in Lagos.
ExamPlaza.com, one of the most brazen sites, advertised its MTN line as 08167593558 for both Physics and Geography, papers scheduled for the week beginning April 23. It runs a bank account with Zenith Bank. Patrons call for the account number.
BusinessDay made four phone calls to the number but was each time asked by voice prompt to wait, the number is being forwarded and the call ended each with ‘the number you have called does not exist, please check the number and dial again’. Truecaller, a mobile app that shows the identity of phone numbers identified the number as ‘waec’.
However, a call to examcrown.com was successful and the lady who picked-up the call was all business, when BusinessDay’s reporter requested to know what the process was, posing as a potential client, the lady responded matter-of-factly.
“How do you want it, as WhatsApp chat, SMS or online access to our website?” the lady asked. BusinessDay reporter opted for the WhatsApp package.
The lady retorted “okay send us MTN recharge card PIN for number of remaining subjects you want answers for and I will send you a pin.”
ExamCrown.com claims it is the best site for “runs” on WAEC, JAMB, NECO and other public examinations. Its “Notice Board” says:
“Always subscribe for your 2018 WAEC subjects and make 7As and 2Bs with our runz..always pay a day before your exam(evening time). Our runs are 100% trusted. Click here to subscribe for your next subject.”
Other WAEC cheat sites are Naijaclass.com, Examcrown.com, Exponet.com, Examsort.com, and Gurus.com.
These digital cheat sites have a range of packages depending on whether it is an individual or school they are rendering service to.
For direct mobile SMS package, the client will receive all answers as text message directly to their phones. The costs vary according subjects; N1, 000 for English Language and Mathematics each; N800 per subject and N600 for practical. This varies from one digital cheat site to another.
Similarly, with the Whatsapp package the candidate receives all answers right on Whatsapp and is expected to provide their Whatsapp number.
Another package is known as password/link. In this case, the candidate receives all answers right on examplaza.com. A password is created for the subscribers with which the view all answers to the subjects they are interested in.
The Very Important Personality (VIP) package combines both the password/link and WhatsApp at a premium of N13, 000 for nine subjects.
Then there is the school package. With N20, 000, the digital cheat sites take charge of the school by making sure they supply the school answers from 10 different trusted and verified sources. All the answers come at least three hours to the exam.
BusinessDay’s interactions with school owners has shown that some WAEC invigilators approach schools and volunteer to assist them carry out examination malpractices.
“I was shocked when WAEC invigilators approached me, because I was the head of the school and asked if we were ready, so that they could help our school cheat its way to success. I turned the offer down” a school head in Lagos said, on condition that she would not be identified.
This trend might not be totally lost on WAEC because on October 19, 2017 the examination body held an exam malpractice summit in Lagos to examine how technology is used to perpetrate this act.
“Smart watch, smart ring, spy earpiece Bluetooth, scientific calculator live chat, spy glasses, invisible watch, spy camera and smart earpiece/microphone are now being used.” Jonas Redwood Sawyer, professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Serra Leone said at the Summit. “Others include Bluetooth communication link to handset, smart contact lens, smart lenses and smart calculator among others.”
Nigeria’s Examination Malpractices Act provides as follows; a person guilty of cheating is liable on conviction: in the case of a person under the age of eighteen years, to a fine of Nl00,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
In the case of a principal, teacher, an invigilator, a supervisor, an examiner, or an agent or employee of the examination body concerned with the conduct of an examination, to imprisonment for a term of four years without the option of a fine; and in any other case, to imprisonment for a term of three years without the option of a fine.
