In a bold move to uphold academic integrity, the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has sanctioned 13 first-year students for committing various examination malpractice offences during the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year. This decision, taken by the Examination Committee at its meeting held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, sends a strong signal that the institution will not compromise its standards.
What Happened?
The sanctioned students were caught engaging in unauthorized communication, collusion, using prohibited materials (including mobile phones and prepared notes), and in some cases, even swapping question papers. The affected courses spanned critical academic areas including Information Technology, French, Criminal Law, and Business Management.
Summary of Offences and Sanctions:
– 13 students penalized
– 8 different courses involved
– 6 types of offences committed
– 5 levels of disciplinary sanctions applied
A Deeper Look at the Offences
Most Common Offences:
- Communicating with others during exams – 5 cases (Section 4.4(c))
• Taking prohibited materials into exam halls – 4 cases (Section 4.4(b))
• Copying from mobile phones or notes – 2 cases (Section 4.4(i))
• Collusion – 1 case (Section 4.4(a))
• Swapping question papers – 1 case (Section 4.4(h))
Affected Courses
- BGEC107: Introduction to Information Technology – 3 students
• BGEC109: French Language – 3 students
• DIPC005: Business Mathematics – 2 students
• DIPC003: Business Management – 2 students
• PBPR101: Introduction to Mass Communication – 1 student
• BLAW105: Criminal Law – 1 student
• BGEC113: Environmental Management – 1 student
⚖️ Types of Sanctions Imposed
- Grade Z (exam paper cancellation) – 13 students
• Rustication (2 semesters) – 4 students
• Dismissal from the university – 3 students
• GHS 100 fines for phone retrieval – 3 students
Patterns and Red Flags
- Similar ID numbers suggest possible group collusion
• Repeat offences in specific subjects indicate high-stress or high-risk areas
• Mobile phones remain a common malpractice tool, showing poor exam security compliance
What This Means for Stakeholders
For Students:
– Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
– UPSA expects high levels of honesty and responsibility.
For Educators & Invigilators:
– Tighter supervision and awareness needed.
– Orientation on academic integrity must be intensified.
For the University:
– The enforcement of sanctions is commendable.
– Proactive student education is needed to reduce first-year offences.
Recommendations Moving Forward
- Mandatory Academic Integrity Training for all freshmen.
2. Tech-free exam zones with strict mobile phone checks.
3. Reinforced invigilator training.
4. Peer accountability through honor codes.
5. Risk audits for courses with recurrent malpractice cases.
Final Thoughts
The UPSA case is a wake-up call for all higher education institutions in Ghana. It underscores the urgent need to blend discipline with proactive student education. Academic honesty must be non-negotiable for Ghana to nurture globally competitive graduates.
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The Ghana Education News Editorial Team is a specialized collective of education researchers, journalists, and policy analysts dedicated to providing high-fidelity reporting on the Ghanaian academic landscape. Serving as a primary bridge between governing bodies—including the Ghana Education Service (GES) and WAEC—and the public, the team leverages over a decade of combined experience to serve students, parents, and educators nationwide.
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