The management of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, has expelled 42 students for examination malpractice following investigations by the institution’s Examination Malpractice Committee.

The affected students comprise 31 Higher National Diploma (HND) and 11 National Diploma (ND) students from various institutes and programmes of the polytechnic.

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

Esin said the students were investigated after allegations of examination malpractice were levelled against them and were found guilty following due process.

He said the offences contravened the Matriculation Oath sworn to by the students upon admission.

“The students were found guilty of the allegations against them after due investigation by the Examination Malpractice Committee.

“The offences contravened the Matriculation Oath sworn to by the students upon admission into the institution,” he stated.

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

“The expulsions were approved in accordance with the provisions of the Polytechnic’s Students’ Handbook,” he said.

He added that the disciplinary action had effectively terminated the students’ relationship with the institution.

The Institute of Finance and Management Studies recorded the highest number of expulsions with 23 students, followed by the Institute of Technology with eight.

Four students were expelled from the Institute of Information and Communication Technology, while two were from the Institute of Health Technology.

The Institute of General Studies recorded one expulsion, while four students from the Centre for Continuing Education were also affected.

The students were enrolled in programmes including Mechatronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Strategic Communication, Journalism and Media Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Electrical/Electronic Engineering and Medical Imaging Technology, among others.

The management also directed the expelled students to return all polytechnic property in their possession to their respective Heads of Department or other designated authorities.

“The expelled students are hereby directed to hand over all Polytechnic property in their possession to their respective Heads of Department or other designated authorities,” Esin stated.