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Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is reported to have said: "Whoever cheats is not one of us." [Sahih Muslim, 102]
Examination Malpractice refers to all kinds of cheating during examinations. This includes bringing microchips into the exam hall, writing answers on body parts, impersonation, asking friends for answers, spying on other’s work (giraffing), teachers teaching students in an exam hall, and principals or proprietors bribing exam bodies to boost students' grades, etc. Due to the gravity of this offence, the Nigerian Constitution stipulates 21 years jail-term as the peak penalty for examination malpractice.
Recently, I became utterly disappointed when I find out that many Islam-Based Secondary Schools (both private and public) do not only allow but also legalize examination malpractice for their students, particularly during the SSCE exams (e.g WAEC & NECO). They pay handsomely to external invigilators and supervisors (sent by those exam bodies) to allow their candidates to cheat during exams. In other words, they "settle them" as they say. Ironically, in worst cases, those schools which refuse to do the same (i.e give bribes) are often victimized by those exam bodies.
Another shocking revelation by a friend who works in a nearby Islamic school is that teachers who hesitate to partake in this corrupt practice are faced with two difficult options: either to resign voluntarily or get dismissed, or retain their job by playing active roles in exam malpractices. This is the ugly situation some Muslim teachers have found themselves in, while a few remain incorruptible regardless of the prize, many succumb to compromise in the long run.
More unfortunately, parents nowadays are the main driver of examination malpractice in secondary schools. They want their children to make all grades at a go even if a child is not intellectually capable. And "luckily" for them, they do not have to relocate their kids to the so-called "special (or miracle) centres" for SSCE exams, rather the Islamic secondary schools that their children attend now render such service. They are assured of fetching good grades for their wards even if exam malpractice performs the wonder. After all, "the end justifies the means" in their claim. Allah says: "O you who believe! Fulfil (your) obligations... And do not cooperate in sin and transgression." [Qur'an 5: 1&2]
Deep research into this phenomenon reveals that secondary school proprietors, managements, students, teachers, parents as well as the state governments have become complacent to this heinous act - examination malpractice. All parties seem comfortable with the crime. Any secondary school with zero tolerance for examination malpractice may suffer low patronage and mass withdrawal of students by parents who want their children to pass the SSCE Exams at all costs. Because of this, many Islamic schools have joined the bandwagon effect knowing fully well that such is haram.
The implication of Exam Malpractice has a chain effect in corruption; it means one obtains a certificate or degree to which he or she is not entitled to. This leads to consuming wealth unlawfully if one gets a job with that certification. This further results in a lack of professionalism and maladministration due to incompetent and unqualified skilled personnel. If bribery is involved (i.e when the one who cheats pays money to enable him to cheat), those who are engaged in it are accursed.
Regarding this matter, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "Cheating in exams is forbidden; it is a major sin, especially since this cheating will lead to many things in the future, it will affect the person’s salary and position, and other things that are needed to succeed." [Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb, 24/2]
Conclusion
Education is the future of any nation. If examination malpractice is taken for granted at the secondary school level, one can imagine the herald of corruption that greets the next generation. Regrettably, the Islam-Based secondary institutions which should take the lead in reformation are equally guilty of the same crime (except for a few). However, this is a wake-up call for the stakeholders. All hands must be on deck to combat this social menace. If the examination bodies, teachers, schools, parents, religious leaders and the government can be united against this dangerous trend; examination malpractices will be mitigated across the board if not completely eradicated.
Al-Hanafy
1.367 SRY