In order to curb the growing malfeasance in the nation’s education sector and to restore its lost glory, a Professor of Educational Management at the University of Ilorin, Abayomi Olumade Sofoluwe, has canvassed the establishment of the National Examinations Malpractice Commission(NEMC).
Prof. Sofoluwe made this call while delivering the 248th Inaugural Lecture of the University titled” Paradigm Shift And Dysfunctionalism in University Educational Management” at the institution’s main auditorium.
The renowned academic explained that the proposed Commission should be charged with the responsibility of arresting and prosecuting examination malpractices related offenders in view of its alarming and embarrassing dimensions.
Prof. Sofoluwe insisted that government must enforce the laws of the land without considering the personalities involved, saying that persons who involved themselves and are found guilty of examination malpractices should be decisively dealt with as provided for in the decree or act of parliament.
. He also said that the proposed Commission should also organise workshop training on continuous assessment and use of non-testing appraisal techniques for teachers.
“The activities of the proposed Commission would certainly reduce examination malpractices if not outrightly eliminate them from our school system”, he said.
Prof. Sofoluwe also charged the leadership of the nation’s universities to adopt what he called “transformational manager model”. He explained that the model in their administration would hasten the type of organisational changes that are needed in academic context.
He added that when the Vice Chancellor, who epitomises transformational management, articulates a realistic vision of the future that can be shared, his subordinates would be intellectually stimulated to work harder in order to attain maximum productivity.
Prof. Sofoluwe also said that the adoption of the model would also enable such a leader to pay closer attention to the differences among his subordinates and encourage them to work together in the interest of the system.
The foremost scholar equally canvassed that the goal of university education as contained in the 1981 National Policy on Education should be refined, restated, prioitised and recirculated among the various constituencies of the University to enhance quality service delivery.
He added that the managers of the nation’s universities must imbue staff with team spirit and revitalise personal attitudes, saying that managers of such institutions must be supportive and inspirational by setting goals, guidelines and delegating operational responsibility in a strong and clear manner.
Prof. Sofoluwe also explained that it was high time that the prevailing feeling by academics that participation in commercial activities is fraudulent and incompatible with the University’s ideals was discarded.
He added that the University must also pay attention to other potential conflicting areas such as ensuring good conditions of service for all staff, provision of extracurricular services for students, facilitating responsible students’ unionism and protecting academic freedom.
Prof. Sofoluwe also urged the government and other stakeholders to avoid policies and decisions which will turn our universities into centres of national controversy be it in admission, appointments or funding.
He noted that excessive centralisation generate intrigue and dissatisfaction both of which disturb the peace, harmony and rapid development of the university system in Nigeria.
Prof. Sofoluwe also urged managers of universities to adhere strictly to procedures in order for them to emerge unstained from the frequent conflicts in the patronage and partnership they engage in.
The Inaugural Lecturer encouraged managers of universities to be conversant with and adopt social and human skills and must develop and sustain the ability to work with and through other people.
Prof. Sofoluwe also canvassed urgent restructuring and re-engineering of our university system. He added that there is the need to look at the duplicated Departments and courses, and streamline and rationalise them.
He also said that population of students must be reprogrammed to match the existing designed capacities of the basic facilities required to promote excellent learning in Nigerian universities. Once the population of the students matches the designed capacities, contact among staff/students will improve teaching/ learning process and the purpose of university education will be achieved.
Prof. Sofoluwe also encouraged academic staff of universities to seek counseling assistance on issues retarding their effectiveness such as marital conflicts, stress, absenteeism, truancy and tardiness, which, he said, could be handled through counseling interactions.
He also enjoined the government to increase budgetary allocation to the education sector and honour agreement that has been signed with the unions. He added that the Nigerian government must display transparency, honesty, probity, accountability, purposefulness and good ideals of the society.
Prof. Sofoluwe insisted that the reward system should also be equitable enough and that hard work should be adequately recognised and compensated in all facets of our national life.
The inaugural lecture, which was presided-over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole,SAN, was witnessed by dignitaries from far and near.
