The Federal Government has intensified efforts to tackle mass examination malpractices perpetrated in ‘Miracle Centres’. Cutting corners to pass examinations has not only undermined the integrity of the whole exercise, but is a dampener on the hard work of other candidates, who burn the proverbial midnight candle. Thus, government’s resolve to sanitise the nation’s education system and preserve the sanctity of various external examinations resonates with stakeholders. DAMOLA KOLA-DARE, DIVINE JOSEPH and JOY ANYANWU report.
Cutting corners and cheating is an age-long practice in the education space. Candidates, who failed to prepare for examinations, see it as a fast route to undeserved success and an avenue to supplant those who have toiled and burned the proverbial midnight candle. Sadly, in this part of the world, there is little that distinguishes hard work from fraud with the ultimate aim being to succeed.
Enter Miracle Examination Centres
Observers reckoned that examination malpractices have taken deep roots in society such that parents encourage dishonesty by paying huge amounts to operators of what are popularly known as Miracle Centres or Special Centres for their wards to pass examinations. The idea is that society approves of the aberration since parents want their children to make excellent grades at all costs.
The so-called centres did not just come over night. They came gradually as a result of mediocrity, laziness and non-seriousness on the part of pupils and encouragement of parents.
The “miracle centres” mostly operate at private schools. They ensure examination questions are leaked in advance or compromise the examinations once the question papers reach the venue.
Critics argued that apart from parental and peer influence, poor teaching and learning practices contribute to the proliferation of the centres. It is also believed that managements of schools, who want to be seen as having best results, are part of the problem. Thus, they want to attract huge patronage. Pupils, parents and community members or groups are alleged guilty of aiding malpractices.
Huge profit inspires the private schools generally and the centres to cut corners. The Nation’s checks revealed that due to high patronage, their rates could be over 300 per cent the actual registration fees as directed by examination bodies. Tutorial centres are not left behind as they take candidates to the most trusted “miracle centres” and once they “succeed”, they attract more students to register with them.
Experts noted that the remote drivers of these practices revolve around educational policies, institutions and the formal structures guiding school-related activities. Rogue examiners employed to supervise the examinations use their position to shield illegal activities, acting with owners of the “miracle centres”.
School curricula upon which the examinations are based appear to be difficult and sometimes not taught in class, thus pupils make do with the centres to bridge the gap.
Alausa goes tough on malpractices
Thus, when the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, noted that plans are underway to rid the nation of examination malpractices and the centres, not a few operators would have feared the worst.
Last week on a national television, the minister said the ministry would tackle examination malpractices and foster a fair academic system. Alausa noted that allowing students to cheat during examinations is a form of injustice to those who have worked hard genuinely to earn excellent grades.
“We have problems with examination malpractices, which we are addressing frontally as a government. This is not acceptable because if you let people cheat, you will disincentivise the hardworking people. We will tackle this issue of miracle centres, this pervasive exam cheating decisively.
“We would bring a complete end to this menace that has invaded our educational system.”
He emphasised government’s commitment to tackling widespread examination malpractices and enhancing the overall quality of the nation’s educational assessments. Alausa noted that addressing examination leakages requires a holistic approach, stressing that students are not the only culprits in examination malpractices.
“I will monitor it so closely. If it doesn’t stop, there will be consequences. This entire indiscipline and racketeering in our exam system must stop. It’s absolute nonsense,” he said.
Statistics on malpractices
Statistics revealed that in 2024, a total of 215,267 candidates (11.92 per cent of the total) who wrote the internal SSCE of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had their results withheld in connection with various reported cases of exam malpractice.
Also in 2023, a much higher 16.29 per cent of the sitting candidates had their results withheld for similar reasons.
The National Examination Council (NECO) reported that 8,437 and 12,030 candidates, who wrote its SSCE in 2024 and 2023 respectively, committed malpractice.
Stakeholders unite against unethical practices
Deputy National President National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, described the move by the minister as a fantastic one. He decried the situation whereby parents subscribe to the centres for their wards’ sake.
He said: “It is a good one and a fantastic development. Miracle Centres try to ensure students registered with them meet up with good grades and cut off marks. They charge high fees and gullible parents pay. NAPTAN is in support of the minister’s move. He should ensure all these are not possible anymore. There are thousands of students, who patronise these centres and that means they will not be able to take exams independently. Government should now encourage schools to rely on themselves and maintain high standards. Their activities are fraudulent and exploitative. They must not continue.
‘‘Parents who encourage such are irresponsible. Even some sit for exams for their children. It is irresponsible parenting. There should now be exam integrity centres instead of miracle centres.”
Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Hassan Akintoye, harped on the need to bring back old value systems, integrity, honesty, transparency and high moral standards. In an interview with The Nation, he not only supported the minister’s resolve to foster academic integrity, but also called for a moral rebirth.
He said: “As a teacher, I don’t see how miracle can come into the life of a student in the journey of knowledge acquisition. Are they healing lepers or raising the dead there? I am in total support of the honourable minister to ensure that what is not in the context of educating is removed from it.
“It is about the value system. We must go back and retrace our steps on those norms and values we cherished in those days, that will make someone to work talk if academically sound. Have we been able to sustain those values? What kind of criteria do we set for people who occupy positions of authority and leadership in the country today? Even when found wanting, how do we address the issue?
‘‘We celebrate those who can sing rather than those who are academically sound. We place emphasis on connections and certification, hence people cut corners.
“If we can get the value system right, everything will be right. Education is about three things – knowledge acquisition, skill acquisition and sustenance of good values in society so that the knowledge and skills acquired overtime will be utilised to advance the nation. In advanced nation, they use knowledge acquired to better the lot of their country.”
Mr. Femi Mfon, a parent said eradicating “miracle centres” is for the good of pupils.
“For the kind of society we find ourselves, it should be banned. When Buhari said Nigerian youths are lazy, I accepted because malpractice is laziness,” he said.
He said malpractice makes it difficult for pupils to get acquainted to their studies and they end up not being able to defend their certificates. Principal of Adetola Comprehensive College, Mr. Tope Odutan, said the centres should be eradicated to avoid educated illiterates. He said he has put several measures in place to ensure exam integrity at his centre.
“They have extended lectures and they do individual teachings that are teaching themselves. This would create room for them to believe in themselves and know their level of preparedness. I preach it and I act it. If they fail their exams in school they repeat,” he said. He stated that the centres are more expensive because they buy new uniforms, identity cards and they even pay money per paper. Economically and morally, miracle centres are bad,” he added.
Mrs. Anyanwu Abosede, a teacher in Christfield Private School, Lagos, said she does not support special centres or “miracle centres”. She noted that schools and tutorial centres had imbibed such strategies for candidates “success”.
According to her, there is no need for such centres or seeking the shortest route to academic success, if things are done accordingly and teachers teach effectively and pupils are committed to learning. She berated parents who intentionally contribute to the destruction of their wards’ lives, erroneously believing they are helping them.
