Examination Malpractice and Its Impact on Educational Integrity and Quality in Secondary Schools: A Case of Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

This study examines the impact of examination malpractice on educational integrity and quality in secondary schools within Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania. The increasing prevalence of malpractice in schools has raised concerns about the long-term effects on the credibility of the education system and the competencies of graduates. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study involved a sample of 20 teachers, 80 students, 20 parents, 4 heads of schools, and 4 education officers from four secondary schools (two public and two private). This sample was obtained using both probability and non probability sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and observation, and analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data. Content validation, member checking and trustworthiness were used to ensure both validity and reliability of the instruments results. The findings reveal that examination malpractice significantly undermines educational quality, leading to the production of graduates with low academic value, a loss of credibility in the education system, and reduced job opportunities for genuine graduates. The study concludes that addressing examination malpractice requires stricter regulatory frameworks, enhanced monitoring, community engagement, and the implementation of technological solutions to restore integrity in the examination process.