School Accreditation Status and Perception of National Examinations Council Accreditation Exercises in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66545/9a32aj57Keywords:
school, accreditation, status, perception, accreditation exercises, Nigeria, NECOAbstract
The accreditation status of schools is an essential determinant of their ability to function as certified educational institutions, and the process leading to a decision on this status placement by accrediting bodies, like the National Examination Council (NECO) in Nigeria, plays a critical role in this regard. This paper examines how schools in Nigeria perceive NECO's accreditation exercise effectiveness in assessing teaching learning activities and infrastructural facilities, and how this perception is influenced by their accreditation status (full, partial and/or failed). Using a mixed-method approach, data were gathered from 1,363 secondary school administrators in 120 secondary schools from six selected states across Nigeria to explore the relationship between schools' accreditation status and perception of these schools' administrators on NECO's accreditation exercise. An analysis of variance revealed a p-value of 0.001 for accreditation as being effective in assessing the quality of teaching-learning and facilities in schools. This means that there is a difference in perception among staff from schools with full, partial and failed accreditation status on NECO accreditation exercises in assessing teaching-learning activities and infrastructural facilities in Nigerian secondary schools. In other words, accreditation status has effect on the school staff's perception of the accreditation exercise. The study therefore recommended that accreditation bodies (NECO) should ensure openness and clarity in the accreditation process, collaborate with educational stakeholders (Ministry of Education, school administrators, and teachers) by organising sensitisation programmes focused on accreditation requirements, standards and quality improvement strategies. Government and development partners, on the other hand, can assist schools in terms of infrastructural development and other resources to meet the quality standard expected by the accreditation bodies, such as NECO.
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