Is Cheating Getting Better Or Worse: Growing Concern

Introduction

Nowadays, the college students' cheating problem has kept a long-standing, and they often resort to a series of cheating means to achieve higher study scores. The issue of cheating in school education is undeniably one of the most devastating problems facing educational institutions today. In the past, instances of cheating in school could be more easily detected and addressed, making cheaters face significant risks. However, with the advent of high-tech cheating methods, cheating has become more concealed and challenging to identify. In a recent survey conducted in CLEVELAND, Ohio, it was revealed that more than 80 percent of college students claimed to have cheated in some way while in school. This alarming statistic raises the question: 'Is cheating getting better or worse in school?' that demands a thorough examination of the current state of academic dishonesty and its implications for the future of education.

Modern Challenges: Technology and Cheating

The advent of online schools and increasingly sophisticated mobile devices have made it easier for students to cheat, said Kessler International, a firm that provides private investigation services, forensic accounting and digital forensics. According to research and surveys over the past 12 years by retired Rutgers University professor Donald McCabe and the International Center for Academic Integrity, 68 percent of undergraduates and 43 percent of graduate students admit to cheating on tests or written assignments. In a study on the 'digital revolution' by the Pew Research Center in 2011, 55 percent of college presidents said plagiarism in students' papers have increased over the past 10 years. Among those who have seen an increase in plagiarism, 88 percent said computers and the internet have played a major role.

Understanding the Degree of Cheating in School

According to Cambridge English Dictionaries, cheating means to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want. The offence of cheating under the Penal Code covers the same ground as fraud at common law and uses very similar concepts. Cheating involves deceiving another person into believing something and thereby persuading them to act to their detriment in some way. Generally, the fault element is acting dishonestly or fraudulently. Under Section 415 of the Malaysian Penal Code, whoever by deceiving any person, (a) fraudulently or dishonestly induces the person so deceived to deliver any property to any person, or to consent that any person shall retain any property or (b) intentionally induces the person so deceived to do or omit to do anything which he would not to do or omit to do if he were not so deceived and which act or omission causes or is likely to cause damage or harm to any person is said to cheat.[footnoteRef:3] There are three preliminary comments are necessary with respect to dishonesty and fraudulently. First, the fault element will often be a matter of inference from the surrounding circumstances. Secondly, it must be proved that the accused was dishonest or fraudulent at the time of the deception. Thirdly, dishonesty requires proof of intention.

Conclusion

The Educational Industry is composed of establishments that provide instruction and training on a wide variety of subjects. These institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and training centers, are either privately or publicly owned. Private institutions may be further classified as 'for-profit' or 'not-for-profit'. There are several activities that are considered cheating in the education industry such as the increased use of technology has contributed to the simplification and ease of copying homework assignments. “Contract cheating” is perhaps the most serious form of academic dishonesty, involving students putting out a tender for others to complete their homework, coursework, and assessments. Plagiarism is also considered as cheating in the education industry. 

References

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