National examinations in centralized educational systems: A blessing or a diploma disease? • A case study of the Nigerian experience

Abstract

There is no denying the fact that examinations have been a much discussed topic within educational spheres all over the world and, especially in countries with centralized systems of education. In most countries of the world, school examinations have been known to become a major means of social mobility, prestige and promotion. Besides, examinations affect socioeconomic structures through the application of the criteria selection. This is so because, success in examinations usually determines an individual's entry into higher education and thus to professional posts. Consequently, a situation has evolved in which nation-wide examinations have been seen by some as a good educational enterprise (a blessing) whereas others have termed them as breeders of an educational diploma disease. An attempt has been made in this paper, to examine the arguments that surround the efficacies or demerits of national examinations, with particular reference to the experience of Nigeria in the area of secondary education. The evolution, characteristics and operation of national examinations as practiced in Nigeria are discussed. and arguments for any viewpoint one may hold as to the effectiveness of national examinations. it would be better to utilize them while cautiously avoiding any complete from dependence on them.