Abstract:
This article examines Proverbs 3:31–35 in the exam malpractice crisis ravaging secondary
schools in Nigeria. Proverbs 3:31–35 has the central thesis of the call to avoid the company of
evildoers and the blessings of going on the right path. Scholars have approached the issue of
examination malpractice from an economic, social and psychological lens. In this study, the
Old Testament was used as the lens for tackling the situation. This is a qualitative study using
the rhetorical method. The data were obtained from the Bible, Bible commentaries, gazettes,
journal articles and other periodicals. Emerged themes include: (1) warning not to join bad
people; (2) consequences of the warning and (3) end point of one’s decision. Exam misconduct
reflects deeper societal concerns such as corruption, weak regulatory enforcement and the
temptation to succeed at any cost.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : Proverbs 3:31–35 has shown that the
increasing number of graduates who cannot defend their certificates and corruption is caused
by the blatant and obscene nature of exam malpractice in Nigeria. Old Testament and Practical
Theology were implicated in the study.
