Term paper cheats- AQ question

In the Singaporean context, I think the idea of verification is essential in ensuring academic honesty. Even though trusting students could be good for ensuring that Singaporean students grow on to become adults with integrity, but then in the short term and seeing the culture in the Singaporean environment it is important to have some basis of accountability.

Firstly, the 'kiasu' behavior of Singaporeans is one which makes it essential. This transpires into the school environment as well, where the students would want to know as much of the paper as possible, before the start of the exam. One common example is the continuous assessment In secondary schools, where if the tests are being held at different times for different people, then those taking it at a later time would definitely benefit from it. Thus this clearly indicates that left to themselves students would tend to cheat and having software's which check for plagiarism may be a desired measure.

However, as some people argue, students must be trusted for their integrity. After all they have to take Singapore forward, and they need to be responsible for their promises made to adhere to the code of honor ( as in many US universities). However, in the Singaporean context this has proven not to work. After the SPA assessment in JC's it is presumed, that students would not share the paper, given the fact it is part of A- Level assessment. But students show a sheer disregard for this and those who take the assessment later than others, know the paper inside out. Hence there is a need for verification in Singapore, because with the internet being easily available it is not too difficult to cheat.


But methods to prevent students from plagiarism are not enough and it is essential that lessons about integrity are communicated to students in an effective way. If we just depend on verification, then there would be some way of working around it as well, and one day it would be rendered fruitless. Moreover, in the long run, in the workplace, there would not be any watchdog and only the moral values and self- restrain of students could take them far, into being a transparent worker.

ARORA KERSH JAMIE SERENA