The rise in academic dishonesty among students has become alarmingly apparent, with many flaunting their cheating feats on social media platforms.

“Failing in exams can be tolerated, but cheating in exams is a failure,” said Fr. Jiju Varghese, S.J., a great educationist in Nepal. A concerning trend of dishonesty in the education sector is periodically surfacing in the country. Just when you thought it was an isolated incident, the trend is spreading like wildfire, and it should be of concern for the nation.

Early this year, the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) discovered a troubling pattern among the Nepali examinees. Many Nepali examinees achieved abnormally high scores in the Step exams. What raised eyebrows even further was that these examinees seemed to be selecting identical answers for most questions, regardless of whether they were right or wrong. This anomaly was said to be nearly impossible without dishonest practices, which prompted an investigation. As a result, many Nepali examiners' results were revoked.

A month back, headlines buzzed with reports of scandals involving invigilators overseeing the Secondary Education Examination (SEE). They were accused of facilitating cheating within the examination halls. Allegations by students at the exam centers in Jajarkot claimed that some invigilators were actually handing out answers to the students during the exams, allowing students to copy from each other. Just a few weeks ago, following the completion of Class 12 exams, a disturbing increase in cheating incidents was uncovered. It has shone a light on a worrying trend of academic dishonesty across the nation.

From traditional methods like sneaking notes into examination halls to utilizing sophisticated technological aids, students are employing various tactics to undermine assessment integrity. These incidents not only signify a lack of ethical integrity but also indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of education’s purpose. Instead of viewing exams as opportunities for genuine learning and knowledge assessment, they’re reduced to mere obstacles to overcome through deceit. This prevalence of cheating not only erodes trust in the education system but also jeopardizes the validity and reliability of academic credentials.

Losing all Balance

The rise in academic dishonesty among students has become alarmingly apparent, with many flaunting their cheating feats on social media platforms. From proxy candidates taking exams to some schools and teachers even facilitating malpractices, the problem is only getting worse. Rather than feeling guilt or remorse, there’s a troubling sense of pride associated with cheating, creating a culture where success through unfair means is glorified. This culture is getting worse year by year, fueled by the widespread sharing of such behavior on social media. Not only does this normalize academic dishonesty, but it also distorts the concept of achievement. As a result, impressionable minds are exposed to warped ideals, where dishonesty is celebrated over integrity and ethical conduct.

Toll on Diligent Students

The fallout from exam cheating unfairly impacts students who have put in genuine efforts to prepare. They deserve a calm and fair environment where they can concentrate and write the exams. Instead, those who have spent months studying find themselves in chaotic exam halls, with others pressuring them for answers.

Cheating during exams throws everything off balance, creating an atmosphere of unease and injustice. Good students find themselves disadvantaged as they witness their classmates resorting to dishonest tactics to get ahead. Moreover, the integrity of their hard-earned achievements is questioned as the credibility of academic assessments is undermined by cheating’s prevalence. Consequently, these students are left grappling with the emotional and psychological toll of witnessing cheating firsthand, feeling betrayed by a system that fails to uphold fairness and meritocracy.

When the environment is rife with students helping each other with answers and the invigilator neglects their duty, students who are uncertain about whether to join in or resist are more likely to succumb to the prevailing behavior. Consequently, poor supervision in the examination hall leads to an increase in academic dishonesty, drawing more students into the pool of misconduct.

Little compromise amounting to big damage

Teachers turning a blind eye to what happens in exam halls makes the problem worse. Cheating incidents frequently go unchecked or are quietly ignored, sending a message that it’s okay to cheat. By failing to uphold integrity standards and enforce disciplinary measures, educators inadvertently signal to students that cheating is acceptable. Consequently, the educational ecosystem becomes saturated with moral ambiguity, which not only hampers the creation of a conducive learning environment but also promotes mediocrity.

A guru, as teachers we are, typically emphasizes values of truthfulness, righteousness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of life, including education. However, when we overlook cheating or allow unfair advantages during exams, we deviate from the principles of integrity and fairness that are central to a guru’s teachings. Therefore, the emphasis on the need for teachers to actively address cheating and enforce consequences aligns with the values of moral courage and accountability advocated by a guru. It is crucial to rethink if we are losing the essence of the guru in today’s teachers.

The sanctity of schools as temples of learning and human formation must remain untainted by academic dishonesty. To preserve their noble purpose, schools must resist becoming conduits for unethical behavior and serve as pillars of integrity and moral uprightness.

Living tension in education in Nepal today

The etymology of the word ‘education’ traces back to the Latin term ‘ēducātiō,’ which means “bringing up” or “rearing.” To create an environment conducive to nurturing students who are morally upright, intellectually competent, spiritually sound, and emotionally healthy, education must go beyond grades. Therefore, educational institutions must be viewed as a place of holistic formation, aligning with the core objective of education, which is to cultivate critical thinking, nurture intellectual curiosity, and instill ethical and moral standards. Among these goals, instilling ethical and moral standards is the most challenging, yet it is a crucial life skill that serves as a compass throughout one's life.

Malpractices in the exams are one of the instances that shakes the very core of what education stands for, tarnishing its reputation and betraying its values. It undermines the credibility of education, as this behavior is the result of the kind of formation the students have received during their school life. The recent cheating scandals in Class 12 exams underscores the urgent need for a change in the educators’ mindset. Fostering a culture of academic integrity and empowering educators to uphold fairness and meritocracy are crucial not only for education but in a larger sense for the development of the country. Only through concerted efforts and unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical conduct can we confront the tragedy of youth formation in schools and safeguard education’s integrity as a transformative force for good.

 
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