Why is Examination Malpractice on the Increase in Ghanaian Schools? A Case of Bimbilla Senior High School

There are many studies on the forms, causes and effects of examination malpractice yet this illegal activity is still on the increase in Ghana. The objective of the study was to identify the factors causing increase in examination malpractice in Ghanaian schools. The study used a mixed method approach to gather and analyse data. The target population was all teachers and students of Bimbilla Senior High School in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region of Ghana. The accessible population was seventy-eight (78) ­ twelve (12) teachers and sixty-six (66) students of the same school. It was found that, leaking of examination questions by examination officials, over emphasis of certification over skills, weak security measures, bad government policies, and inappropriate pedagogy, poor remuneration of invigilators and ranking of schools were the contributing factors causing increase in examination malpractice. Based on the findings, it was therefore be concluded that, examination malpractice is seen as normal and will be very difficult to eliminate. It was therefore recommended based on the conclusion that, government and stakeholders in education should pay more emphasis on skills acquisition over certificates, improve the security measures of examination officials and improve the remuneration of invigilators.