Parental Involvement and Teachers’ Leadership Roles that Influence Students’ Cheating Behaviour in Senior Secondary Schools

Abstract

In recent times, the frequent examination question paper leakages, irregularities and mal-practices at all levels of education in Nigeria are becoming worrisome. Examination malpractice has become a serious moral scourge and has constituted one of the sources of the greatest threat to the nation.s education system. Several approaches at curbing this problem have been adopted, but with little success. Thus, this study examined the relationship between teachers. leadership roles, and students. attitudes towards cheating behaviour. Five hundred (500) male and female SSS III students. participants were drawn from five secondary schools in Ondo West Local Government Area by random sampling technique. Forty (40) questionnaire items were used as instruments for the findings. The study adapted the idea of examination cheating behaviour by Oyekan, (2006). Three hypotheses (3) were raised at 0.05 level of significance. Correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses were used for the findings. The results indicated that the kind of leadership roles of both the parents and the teachers were predictive of students cheating behaviours, with teachers ineffective control and parents. permissive styles showing the strongest prediction. The conclusion was drawn and recommendations were suggested for improved control of students. cheating behaviour in Nigerian senior secondary schools.