The snowball effects of practices that compromise the credibility and integrity of higher education

Abstract

Practices that compromise the credibility and integrity of higher education have been reported globally. These take place at all stages in the higher education delivery value chain, from student admission to assessment (including tests, assignments and examinations) and certification. Even in research-based postgraduate studies, the bane of plagiarism continues to evolve with time as dishonest students and academics relentlessly find ways of cheating the system. The central thesis of this article is that the negative consequences of the acts or practices that compromise the credibility and integrity of higher education do not only affect individuals, but they also affect the entire cohort of students, the higher education institution concerned, the broad higher education sector, the economic system and the socio-cultural system. Therefore, these practices have a snowball effect on the entire education system. The article argues that, overall, these practices result in "inequity among and unfairness" to individuals. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that sustainable solutions of curbing this social ill are explored and implemented because dealing with consequences will be too costly.