The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has expelled 42 students over examination malpractice.

The affected students comprise 31 Higher National Diploma students and 11 National Diploma students drawn from different institutes and programmes in the polytechnic.

The decision followed investigations conducted by the institution’s Examination Malpractice Committee after allegations of examination malpractice were levelled against the students.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Principal Assistant Registrar, Academic Board Matters Division, Ibrahim Esin.

Students Found Guilty After Investigation

According to Esin, the students were found guilty of the allegations against them after due investigation by the Examination Malpractice Committee.

He said the offences committed by the students violated the Matriculation Oath they took upon admission into the institution.

Esin added that the expulsions were approved in line with the provisions of the Polytechnic’s Students’ Handbook.

He said the disciplinary action had effectively ended the affected students’ relationship with the institution.

23 Students Expelled From One Institute

A breakdown of the expelled students showed that the Institute of Finance and Management Studies recorded the highest number, with 23 students affected.

The Institute of Technology followed with eight students, while four students each were expelled from the Institute of Information and Communication Technology and the Centre for Continuing Education.

Two students were expelled from the Institute of Health Technology, while one student from the Institute of General Studies was also affected.

Journalism, Engineering Students Affected

The affected students were enrolled in various programmes, including Mechatronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Strategic Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Banking and Finance and Accountancy.

Others were studying Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Medical Imaging Technology, Microfinance and Entrepreneurship Development, Social Development, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, and Industrial and Labour Relations, among others.

The polytechnic also released the names of the affected students as part of the disciplinary action.

Students Ordered To Return Polytechnic Property

Meanwhile, the management directed all the expelled students to return any property belonging to the institution that remained in their possession.

Esin said the items should be handed over to the students’ respective Heads of Department or other designated authorities.

The polytechnic said the expulsions followed the conclusion of the examination malpractice investigations and approval of the disciplinary measures by the appropriate authorities.