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HOUSE of Representatives yesterday summoned the Education Minister, Mrs. Chinwe Obaji to appear before it next Tuesday to explain some new policies intoduced in the nation's education sector.
HOUSE of Representatives yesterday summoned the Education Minister, Mrs. Chinwe Obaji to appear before it next Tuesday to explain some new policies intoduced in the nation's education sector.
It also passed a resolution directing security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the legislation which prescribes 21 years jail term for convicted examination cheats.
These development came even as the Lower House has resolved to embark on review of the laws establishing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) with a view to strengthening them to assist in curbing examination malpractice menace.
These were fallout of a motion sponsored by 24 Federal lawmakers soliciting stern measures against incessant cases of examination malpractice across the country.
Canvassing argument in favour of the motion, Hon. Alex Ukam warned that the trend if not abated may lead to total collapse of the nation's public examination system.
He said this has led to a situation where other countries now discriminate against certificates issued by Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions.
The lawmaker pointed out that there was a steady decline of educational standards in the country, stressing the need for far-reaching measures to be taken to check the trend.
He said since WAEC, NECO and JAMB were the major examination bodies preparing candidates for higher education, the House must do something to remedy the situation.
After an exhaustive deliberation, the House resolved to mandate its committee on education to investigate the rampant cases of examination malpractice.
The committee is to also probe wastage of public funds and unwarranted financial burden on parents and guardians, occasioned by the withholding or outright cancellation of candidates's results and report to the House within 21 days.
It is also to review the laws on the examination bodies with a view to punishing anybody involved in any malpractice, while law enforcement agencies should be encouraged to enforce laws on malpractice.
Chairman of the committee, Ahmed Lawan told newsmen later that Mrs. Obaji had been invited to come and explain to the House, some of the new policies she introduced in the education sector.
Hon. Lawan said one of such policies was the post-UME test in the universities, which he pointed out "is unconstitutional, illegal and unacceptable to us."
"As far as we are concerned, JAMB remains the only body recognised to conduct examinations into our institution and if there is a problem in the Act setting up JAMB, the executive should bring it for amendment," he stressed.
In his contribution, Hon Independence Ogunnewe said examination malpractice was gaining popularity due to the scramble for limited job openings calling on government to create more jobs.
Hon Ogunnewe canvassed support for the various ongoing reform programmes which he said were targetted at repositioning the economy for sustenable growth.
Also contributing, Hon. Datti Ahmed said examination malpractice was part of the fraud in the larger society.
Condemning the menace, he said students seem to have taken a cue from politicians who perpetuate electoral fraud.
Hon Depo Oyedokun lamented that the menace has given rise to churning out of half baked literates by our educational system.
Also yesterday, the House ratified the international convention for prevention of pollution from ships 1973/78.