The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is marking the International Day of Action Against Contract Cheating today.
Contract cheating occurs when someone has academic work (e.g. coursework, tests or exams) completed on their behalf, which they then submit as if they had created it themselves.
NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Quality Assurance, Eve McMahon, says “Contract cheating is a threat because it allows learners to achieve a qualification without necessarily having all the skills and knowledge required, undermines the quality and credibility of qualifications, and can lead to public safety issues when graduates are faced with situations for which they are not properly prepared.”
Contract cheating is an international challenge, with most cheating services operating across borders, hindering the ability of governments to pursue them.
“Some cheating services have been known to blackmail students who use their services, threatening to expose their cheating,” Eve McMahon says.
“While the exact scale of contract cheating in New Zealand is hard to measure, we know it occurs, with New Zealand-specific assessment materials available on some of the websites NZQA and our international counterparts monitor.”
“NZQA is working with other organisations, including the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency in Australia, to raise awareness of contract cheating and encourage learners to say Kāore.”
“While NZQA continues monitoring the extent of this issue, anyone aware of contract cheating occurring in New Zealand is encouraged to talk to their school or tertiary provider,” Eve McMahon says.
More information for students is available on our website:
Say Kāore to Contract Cheating (external link)
The definition for contract cheating cited in this release is as used by the University of Auckland.
Contract cheating (external link) — University of Auckland