Lagos — As examination malpractice still afflicts the education system, its persistence has been traced to inadequate financial allowances often given to officials who invigilate at public examinations.

In essence, poorly paid invigilators are those responsible for widespread malpractices that have plagued public examinations, according to the principal of a secondary school.

Mr. Adegunle Timothy, Principal of Light House International Secondary School, Ikorodu, declared that the only way examination malpractice can be eradicated is to "ensure that public examination bodies are well funded so that they can employ adequate and competent staff to invigilate examinations."

This was expressed when the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) awarded the school most outstanding secondary school in Lagos State for the 2008/2009 session.

The principal said that the school has never tolerated examination malpractice and any student who gets involved is usually dismissed.

According to Mr. Adegunle, the recognition by NANs is a pleasant surprise to the college authorities because "we never planned for it, we are not expecting it because we are just doing our own work."

He added: "Since 2005/2006 and 2007/2008 session when the school scored 100 per cent in WASSCE many people have been wondering how this has been possible and I always tell them that it is hardwork and God's favour that guarantee success.

Parents cry out against high fees in private schools

Parents having children in private secondary schools in Lagos are complaining about high fees charged by these institutions. Some of them are planning to withdraw their children and wards because of the exorbitant fees being demanded.

A parent told Vanguard Education Weekly that he paid N25,000 for his child in JSS 3 in a secondary school in Olodi, Apapa.

He said: "There are three terms in a session and the fees charged keep changing from term to term. And we are not giving chance for instalmental payment. Fees must be paid during the first week of the term."

A breakdown of the fees showed that tuition - N9,000, Sports levy N500, Library fee N500, Computer programme N500, BECE N8,000, Medical N500, Development Fund N500, Exam fees N500, PTA N500, Repairs N500, Extension fees N1,000 and Mock Exam N3,000.

"We can't understand the meaning of these charges in the bills that they keep sending to parents every term," he lamented.

Another parent who spoke expressed dismay about the rising fees being charged by proprietors of private schools.

"In this school (name withheld), they even send us bills in advance and demand for payment. When I went to the school to make enquiry, I was not listened to. The principal just ignored me. He said the fees are moderate, considering that of other private schools."

Our checks showed that private schools charged so much and pay very little to the teachers.

Students in JSS pay between N25,000 and N60,000 per term. Some of the elite schools even charged up to N100,000 and above.

For SSS, fees ranged between N70,000 and N150,000 per term depending on the location and the facilities available.

Some of the parents who are finding it difficult to pay the high fees, have called on the Lagos State government to intervene and regulate the fees paid in private schools.

"Government should not allow private school owners to charge exploitative fees. Many parents are finding it difficult to pay due to the economic recession," a parent said.

"We are left at the mercy of these private proprietors who are charging fees far beyond what average workers can afford. Something must be done to check this unwholesome trend n the education sector," a factory supervisor pleaded.