IMPLICATION OF BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Abstract
The study examined the Implication of bribery and corruption on students academic performance. The study was a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised of 21,782 students in the two selected public universities (Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka; and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam) in Anambra State. The sample for this study comprised 325 students as respondents. Simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting students from the two public universities in Anambra State. The researcher-developed Questionnaire used to collect data for the study. The instruments were duly validated by experts. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach alpha statistics. The reliability coefficient value of .86 was obtained and was considered adequate for the study. Data collected were analyzed using mean analysis for research questions and the hypotheses that guided the study were tested using paired sample t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significance .The study showed that bribery, plagiarism, significantly influence the academic performance of students in public universities in Anambra State to a high extent. The study concluded that corrupt practices influence academic performance of students in public universities in Anambra State. Based on the findings and conclusion, the study recommended among others that the government and educational planners should ensure that lecturers pay is comparable with those of their counterparts in other establishments. This would help in checking the incidence of lecturers looking elsewhere for money to meet their basic needs and which might lead to absence or reduction in corrupt practices.
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Bribery and corruption are pervasive issues that have far-reaching consequences in various sectors of society, including the field of education. In recent years, there has been an increasing concern about the implications of bribery and corruption on students’ academic performance (Jones, 2018). These unethical practices have the potential to undermine the fairness and integrity of educational systems, posing significant challenges to the educational development and attainment of students (Transparency International, 2020).
Corruption in the education sector takes various forms, including bribery, nepotism, favoritism, and embezzlement of funds (Alatas et al., 2019). Obi and Obikeze (2006) viewed corruption as a situation whereby government officials and private economic agents allow personal interests to override considerations of public interest Thus, it prevails both in public and private settings in society and the driving force goes beyond massive accumulation of wealth. According to Akpochafo (2010), there are different types of corruption, such as political, bureaucratic, economic, judicial, moral and security corruptions and so on. However, in an educational setting like tertiary institutions especially public universities, one is mainly concerned with moral and bureaucratic corruptions.
Bribery specifically refers to the act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value to influence the actions or decisions of an individual in a position of power (Rose-Ackerman & Palifka, 2016). In educational settings, bribery can occur at different levels, ranging from individual teachers accepting bribes for providing favorable treatment to students, to systemic corruption in admissions processes or the awarding of grades (Transparency International, 2020).
The prevalence of bribery and corruption in educational institutions is a cause for concern. It not only erodes the principles of fairness, equity, and meritocracy but also compromises the quality of education provided to students (Adams, 2017). Research suggests that corrupt practices in education can lead to reduced motivation among students, compromised learning outcomes, and limited access to educational opportunities (Heyneman, 2018).
Moreover, bribery and corruption negatively impact the overall educational environment. They create a culture of dishonesty, erode trust, and perpetuate a cycle of corruption that can be difficult to break (Tanzi, 2019). The consequences extend beyond individual students and affect the reputation and credibility of educational institutions as well as the broader educational system (Mungiu-Pippidi, 2017).
Adebisi, Adebisi & Arogundade, (2015) in their paper on academic corruption showed that academic corruption contribute greatly to unemployable graduates, which induce low entrepreneurial ability and low economic growth. They concluded that competent and skilled graduates are needed as a catalyst for economic growth and the only way to achieve that is for corruption to stop in our nation higher institutions. This work is very relevant and in line with the objective of this study, to establish how academic corruption affect student’s academic performance via study habit, discipline, focus and achievements.
Nwankwo & Nweke, (2016) in their study on effects of corruption on educational System revealed that corruption is common among private school proprietors, policymakers, examination councils, teachers, supervisors and invigilators, and contribute greatly to the low image of teaching as a profession in Nigeria. The findings of this work are relevant and facilitated in defining our scope of study and identification of our target population for study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Corruption is one of the major developmental challenges in Nigeria’s educational system. Corruption has also contributed immensely to the fallen standard of education in Nigeria. It has jeopardized the quality of education from primary to tertiary level. Teachers, school administrators, parents, students and all other stakeholders are involved in the ills of corruption.
Academic failure is not only frustrating to pupils and parents, but Its effects are also equally grave on society in terms of the dearth of manpower in all spheres of the economy and politics. Hence, there is a generic compliant that the standard of education has fallen, a fall that is often attributed primarily to teachers. Millions of naira is being pumped into education in Nigeria in general, notwithstanding the issue of poor performance in education that has continued to persist.
Bribery and corruption in the educational context present significant challenges that can have adverse effects on student’s academic performance (Jones, 2018). These unethical practices undermine the principles of fairness, meritocracy, and equal opportunities within educational institutions (Transparency International, 2020). However, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the implications of bribery and corruption specifically on students’ educational outcomes, creating a research gap that needs to be addressed.
It is against this backdrop that this study is designed to deliberate on the influence of bribery and corruption on academic performance of students in Nigeria. The simulation exercise will display the corrupt practices prevalent in the Nigeria education sector and its influence on academic performance of students.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The general purpose of the study is to examine the implication of bribery and corruption on students academic performance. Specifically, the study sought to
- Investigate the extent bribery influences the academic performance of students in Nigeria.
- Find out the extent plagiarism influences the academic performance of students in public universities in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions guided the study:
- To what extent does bribery influence the academic performance of students in Nigeria?
- To what extent does plagiarism influence the academic performance of students in Nigeria?
1.5 Study Hypothesis
The following null hypotheses guided the study and were tested at .05 level of significance:
H01: Bribery does not have any significant influence on the academic performance of students in public universities in Anambra State.
H02: Plagiarism does not have any significant influence on the academic performance of students in public universities in Anambra State.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Understanding the implications of bribery and corruption on students’ academic performance is crucial for educational policymakers, administrators, and stakeholders. This research will provide valuable insights into the negative consequences of these unethical practices and help in devising effective strategies to combat them. Moreover, the findings will contribute to the existing literature on bribery, corruption, and education, filling a gap in knowledge regarding their impact on students’ learning outcomes.
1.7 Scope and Limitations
This study will focus on the implications of bribery and corruption on students’ academic performance within educational institutions. The research will involve a comprehensive literature review, data collection, and analysis. However, limitations may include potential biases in self-reported data and the generalizability of findings to specific geographic regions or cultural contexts.
1.8 Organization of the Study
This research project will be organized into several chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the research topic, stating the background, problem statement, objectives, research questions, significance, scope, and limitations of the study. Chapter 2 will present a thorough review of the relevant literature on bribery, corruption, and their impact on education. Subsequent chapters will detail the research methodology, data analysis, findings, and conclusions. Finally, recommendations for policymakers, educators, and future research directions will be presented in the last chapter.
REFERENCES
Adams, M. (2017). Corruption and the erosion of social trust in education: Evidence from 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Comparative Education Review, 61(2), 317-344.
Alatas, V., Cameron, L., Chaudhuri, A., Erkal, N., & Gangadharan, L. (2019). Subjective well-being and corruption: Evidence from a natural experiment. Journal of Public Economics, 169, 34-47.
Heyneman, S. P. (2018). Corruption and the quality of educational research in higher education. Journal of Academic Ethics, 16(1), 47-59.
Jones, J. (2018). Corruption in education: A major challenge. Prospects, 48(2), 173-176.
Mungiu-Pippidi, A. (2017). The spread of corruption through replication. Corruption in Education: A Multidisciplinary Review, 2, 15-36.
Rose-Ackerman, S., & Palifka, B. J. (2016). Corruption and government: Causes, consequences, and reform. Cambridge University Press.
Tanzi, V. (2019). Corruption as an obstacle to economic development. In The Oxford Handbook of Public Choice (pp. 391-405). Oxford University Press.
Transparency International. (2020). Global Corruption Barometer: Education Sector Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/publication/global_cor
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