11 months ago
Dr. Vida Nyagre Yakong, who serves as the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, Ghana, has uncovered alarming instances of exam misconduct. These include candidates resorting to prohibited materials disguised as menstrual pads.
This disclosure follows concerning extortions in nursing and midwifery training institutions, involving the payment of bribes to external invigilators associated with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and JUST.
Addressing a graduation and matriculation event in the Upper East Region, Dr. Yakong voiced worries about the growing risk to quality healthcare provision brought about by these behaviors. She mentioned that, as a standard protocol, students in Ghana's health training institutions are subjected to body searches by invigilators before entering exam locations to deter the use of unauthorized materials.Nevertheless, certain candidates successfully avoid detection in these searches and resort to cheating by utilizing concealed materials during examinations.
Dr. Yakong emphasized a troubling shift away from prioritizing knowledge and quality towards a mere pursuit of certificates, lacking a sincere value for understanding. She disclosed occurrences where students entered exam venues with phones carrying exam-related material, cleverly concealed within papers or disguised as menstrual pads.
Apart from worries regarding exam misconduct, Dr. Yakong brought up concerns about external meddling in the operations of nursing and midwifery training institutions. She censured certain politicians, members of institution management, and community leaders for impeding endeavors to maintain high educational standards by advocating leniency for students involved in malpractice.
The Dean emphasized the importance of reevaluating the consequences of politicizing the quest for quality education in nursing and midwifery. She urged a collaborative approach to uphold standards, advocating for training institutions to have the autonomy to choose and admit qualified students.
While pointing out certain difficulties, Dr. Yakong called on stakeholders to reassess their responsibilities to safeguard the quality of education in nursing and midwifery.
Total Comments: 0