Edwin Naidu
Cape Town - Once known for its devastating famine, Ethiopia is bucking the trend in its quest to stamp out cheating during the final exams for Grade 12 pupils.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education has launched a new system for one million learners in Grade 12 national high school-leaving exam.
But is it a revolutionary move or just a band-aid?
In a break from past practice, Grade 12 pupils sitting the 2022 final national exams in Ethiopia, which began on October 10, are writing papers at university campuses instead of as per the norm at their schools.
Federal authorities have run the exams, and the regional officials allegedly responsible for cheating have no role in the exams.
While this gives pupils writing their final exams a taste of what it is like to walk through the ivory towers of learning, the initiative aims to beat cheating or stealing of exam papers.
This is a problem that has been reported in parts of South Africa every year. In Ethiopia, there are widespread claims that regional-level authorities have been involved in exam paper theft, resulting in the poor quality of education in that country. The move also aims to ensure that more pupils end up at universities in Ethiopia after completing their exams.
This is a problem that has been reported in parts of South Africa every year. In Ethiopia, there are widespread claims that regional-level authorities have been involved in exam paper theft, resulting in the poor quality of education in that country. The move also aims to ensure that more students end up at universities in Ethiopia after completing their exams.
For his efforts, Dr Berhanu Nega has been lauded, well at least on social media, as the best minister of education in Africa, because he comes from an opposition party and has managed to convince the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, that his grand plan will shake up the education sector and make a tangible difference for learners, notably, however, bringing down incidents of cheating.
However, removing the regional-level authorities from taking part in exams is not the answer. Indeed, dealing decisively with their dishonesty is a measurable sign of positive action. Would such a step show that Nega means business?
His actions seem proof enough, but one has to ensure he follows through.
At least Nega, a former student activist who has challenged previous governments in pursuit of a free and democratic Ethiopia, has acted on a severe problem. He also shows the importance of finding the right person for the job rather than the politics of patronage and employment for pals.
A trend that is evident throughout the continent – if not the world.
As leader of the three-year-old opposition party, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice, Nega has his work cut out. But he seems to be justifying the faith placed in him by Ahmed.
However, calling him the best in Africa, as some have done on social media, may be a stretch until he produces results.
One cannot deny Nega has acted boldly. And he also concedes this move would not stamp out cheating entirely.
And if it does not work, he is clear that the system will be reassessed to further clamp down on any cheating in the final exams. That is more refreshing than waiting for things to get out of hand before acting, which is pretty much the norm in most places.
The education ministry has bolstered security in all the universities to ensure the safety of 976 018 students writing exams this year. Pupils unable to write the exams will be allowed to do so next month.
Depending on one’s age, when Ethiopia comes to mind, one remembers little about its education system.
One hopes the different approach by Nega would kickstart more change, focusing on improvements within the system, training of teachers and resources for schools so Ethiopia can fulfil its potential.
Before the exams began, Ahmed, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending the war with Eritrea, shared a special message for students in Amharic and Oromigna: “Ethiopia sees hope. I hope you will prove that the exam you are writing is proof that you are true of Ethiopia...”
Ahmed’s Mandela-Esque appointment of Nega, an opposition party leader, looks to summon that missing spirit that will unite Ethiopians in song for the right reasons. – The African