Cheating is the word that is going around today to describe a dangerous culture that is taking hold of our lives.
Whether this culture is found in schools, in sports, in business or in relationships, cheating is accepted as acting dishonestly to get what you want or tricking someone to get what you want.
It is around this time of the year when schools give exams to their students. We have had incidents where students were found to break school or institutional rules by plagiarising, copying answers or using unauthorised communication technology during exams to cheat their way into higher grades or tertiary institutions.
There are many schools located in remote locations and the temptations are greater in these places because no one will be watching.
We want to remind students that cheating in exams may look easy, but it is harmful as it can stop them from learning key skills they can get into serious trouble with their schools or the law and furthermore, cheating damages their personal integrity.
We want students to know that when they cheat, they are not learning anything, and this can impact their future in school and work.
Today in many workplaces there are young graduates who have entered the workforce who are clearly unprepared for the jobs or professional fields they enter.
Many tend to use Artificial Intelligence to do their work for them, but this too catches up with them and the humiliation they suffer is great.
We do note that the Education Secretary, Dr Uke Kombra this week came out strongly with a warning to students and teachers that they will pay the price for cheating in the national exams.
The price is harsh. Students who cheat will lose their marks while the teachers and their school administrations will be charged and terminated.
We urge students to take heed of the warning and refrain from cheating.