ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC TRUST IN QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED BY WEST AFRICAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL AND NATIONAL EXAMINATION COUNCIL

The views that educational standards are falling have become common place in Nigeria. The new dimension is the concern that there exist a disparity between the qualifications awarded by WAEC and NECO and the bearers’ abilities (bearers’ self-report). This study surveyed the degree of public trust in the school certificates awarded by WAEC and NECO in Nigeria. The objective of the study was to assess the extent of confidence institutions of higher learning ( which are public agencies) place on the grades awarded by these two examination bodies. Area of study was cross River state. Instrument for data collection was the questionnaire. It was hypothesised that institutions of higher learning in the state have trust in school certificates awarded by WAEC and NECO. Results revealed that institutions of higher learning the state do not have much trust on WAEC and NECO grades. It was recommended that steps be taken to improve curricular content and security against examination malpractice.