Assessment Of The Effectiveness Of The Deployment Of CCTV As A Tool For Minimizing Examination Malpractice In Tertiary Institution

There has been observed a decline in the quality of graduates from tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It is concerning that some graduates are unable to demonstrate mastery of their claimed fields of study, and some struggle to compose proficient letters. This issue has long been a point of contention among university lecturers and employers, who frequently lament the preparedness of graduates for the workforce. These indicators are alarming and suggest potential dangers for the nation’s future. Several factors contribute to these problems, with examination malpractice being particularly prominent.

Efforts to address examination malpractice have been ongoing, involving measures such as increased invigilation, candidate accreditation with photo IDs or biometric devices, but these methods have not sufficiently mitigated the issue, as incidents of malpractice continue to rise. In response, tertiary institutions have increasingly turned to Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as a security measure during examinations, supplementing human invigilators.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CCTV as a tool against examination malpractice in tertiary institutions. Data was collected through a descriptive survey involving sampled candidates, examination coordinators, and supervisors from Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State. A total of 431 individuals participated in the study. The research employed a ‘Questionnaire on Candidates’ Willingness to Cheat and Reduction of Examination Malpractice under CCTV Surveillance,’ alongside interviews assessing supervisors’ perceptions of CCTV’s impact on reducing malpractice. The study was guided by six research questions and five null hypotheses.

Descriptive statistics, including mean calculations, were used to address the research questions, while the hypotheses were tested using statistical methods such as independent t-tests, chi-square tests, simple linear regression, and ANOVA at a significance level of 0.05. The findings indicate that CCTV surveillance has effectively reduced candidates’ willingness to cheat and is superior to human invigilation in identifying perpetrators. Supervisors generally perceive CCTV as highly effective in combating examination malpractice.

In conclusion, Closed-Circuit Television has played a significant role in mitigating examination malpractice in tertiary institutions. Based on these findings, it is recommended that automated CCTV surveillance systems be implemented and adopted by other examination bodies to enhance monitoring effectiveness