The Registrar’s Offices Training and Seminar Series Committee of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has organized a seminar for senior members of the Registrar’s Offices on the proceedings of examination malpractices.
The seminar, the fourth in the series, aimed to equip senior members with the necessary knowledge to handle cases of examination malpractices effectively.
Chairperson of the Committee, Mr. Anthony Agyapong, emphasized the importance of the training, noting that addressing examination malpractices is a critical aspect of university administration.
“This training is essential for us as we will be serving on these committees. By the end of the seminar, we hope to have a template and established protocols or standards, developed by the Legal Office, to guide us in this work,” he stated.
The facilitator, Mr. Isaac Berko, Deputy Registrar at the Legal Office, outlined the duties of invigilators and provided an in-depth analysis of examination malpractice procedures and the legal frameworks governing them.
“All the functions of invigilators, as stated in the Recorder, are aimed at preventing students from engaging in examination malpractices or misconduct. Students do not choose where to sit in an examination room or center. When they arrive, they must report to the invigilator for checks, and the invigilator will assign them a sitting position,” he explained.
Mr. Berko also expressed concern over the increasing sophistication of student misconduct.
“Examination malpractice is a serious offense, and such cases are addressed by a designated committee. Students found guilty may face penalties, including dismissal, rustication, or repeating an academic year,” he cautioned.
He added that students under investigation have the right to legal representation during committee proceedings.
Mr. Berko proposed a review of the Recorder and the Students’ Guide to ensure they remain relevant and effective in addressing contemporary challenges related to examination malpractices.
