Lagos — The habit of some private schools' teachers, "teaching" their students in examination halls has contributed to the increasing rate of examination malpractice in tertiary institutions, Principal of Caleb International College, Magodo, Lagos, Mrs. Funmi Oboye has said.

Speaking to some journalists during a facility tour of the college, Mrs, Oboye said students who are taught in examination halls in secondary schools find it difficult to cope in the polytechnic or the university and may resort to cheating in examination or join cult groups or resort to selling their bodies to lecturers in the case of women.

Other reasons why students may not do well in school, she said, include psychological problem, incondusive environment, bad company and peers, as well as lack of books.

Mrs. Oboye who was with Mrs. Juliana Falodun and Mrs. Tinu Olufowobi, vice principals senior and junior schools respectively, said other sectors of the economy and human endeavour have been affected by examination malpractice because a lawyer or medical doctor who cheats his way through training can never be a good lawyer or medical doctor.

She said some of these factors shaped the thinking of the promoters and staff of Caleb International College in running a school where examination malpractice and other vices are seriously frowned at, while academic excellence and moral upbringing is given special attention.

"This is based on the learning theory in psychology which believes that we live out what we learn and that there is hardly anything we do without learning it. In a nutshell, our aim is to turn out morally and spiritually refined, as well as academically sound products.

"Armed with a vision and inspiration derived from enduring works of great Christian missionaries and educationists like George Muller and David Livingston, the proprietor of the Caleb International College is fully tuned to inculcating priceless gifts upon any child that passes through the school," the Principal stressed.

She said that the academic team seeks to combine that which is in best tradition of education with those modern developments which have proved to be desirable and effective, including individual and personal attention, wide ranging facilities, subjects taught by qualified teachers, a flexible work programme and strong sixth form which prepares students for higher education or direct entry to career training locally or internationally. The College is now the centre for Cambridge Examination.

"We produce rounded students that can compete and stand on their own anywhere in the world. Students are given opportunities to excel in many different areas of sports and the performing arts," the Principal added.