These results are from a nationwide survey on current issues by the ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, for the T&T Guardian. The main intention of this survey is to assess popular opinion on a number of major issues. A representative random sample of 503 respondents were interviewed and comprised people 18 years and over with 34 per cent Afro-Trinidadians, 40 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 25 per cent mixed and one per cent other ethnic groups.
The sample consisted of 51 per cent females. Respondents were selected using the Random Digit Dialling Method. The margin of error is plus or minus four per cent. This poll was conducted during the period May 10-12 and was supervised by Dr Derek Chadee, director, ANSA McAL Psychological Research Centre and senior lecturer, Department of Behavioural Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine.
In response to this question, almost 75 per cent of respondents rated the Government’s performance in dealing with corruption as “poor.” Precisely, two per cent stated “excellent,” four per cent “good,” 21 per cent “fair,” 35 per cent “poor” and 38 per cent “extremely poor.” For the analyses that follow, the responses “excellent” and “good” were recoded into the category “good,” while “poor” and “extremely poor” were re-coded into the category “poor.”
Analysing responses by ethnicity, Indo-Trinidadians were least likely to indicate “poor.” Specifically, 80 per cent of Afro-Trinidadians, 74 per cent mixed and 68 per cent Indo-Trinidadians stated “poor.” The response of “fair” was stated by 24 per cent Indo-Trinidadians, 22 per cent mixed and 16 per cent Afro-Trinidadians. The response of “good” was stated by eight per cent Indo-Trinidadian, four per cent Afro-Trinidadian and four per cent mixeds.
With regards to sex there were no significant differences between the groups with the rating of “poor” being stated by 74 per cent of females and 71 per cent males. The “fair” rating was indicated by 22 per cent males and 21 per cent females. The rating of “good” was stated by seven per cent males and five per cent females.
Assessing responses by age showed that “poor” was stated by 74 per cent of the 18-30, 69 per cent 31-40, 73 per cent 41-50 and 74 per cent 51 and over age group. People 31-40 were most likely to rate the Government’s performance regarding corruption as “fair.”
In particular, 21 per cent of the 18-30 age group, 27 per cent 31-40, 21 per cent 41-50 and 19 per cent of the 51 years and over age group gave this rating. Of those stating “good,” five per cent were 18-30, four per cent 31-40, six per cent 41-50 and seven per cent were 51 and older.
There were marginal differences among education groups with a difference of 12 per cent between the groups that have the lowest and highest percent. Precisely, 82 per cent technical/vocational, 75 per cent primary, 74 per cent tertiary and 69 per cent secondary educated people indicated “poor” as a response.
The rating “fair” was stated by 26 per cent secondary, 18 per cent tertiary, 17 per cent primary and 16 per cent technical/vocational educated. Of those indicating “good,” eight per cent were primary, eight per cent tertiary, five per cent secondary and two per cent technical/vocational.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
How would you rate the performance of the Government in dealing with corruption over the last three years?
EXTREMELY POOR/POOR
The Government needs to address levels of corruption in the country. Are real issues being covered up?
FAIR
There is some improvement in the justice system. Some level of corruption is inevitable.
GOOD/EXCELLENT
They have identified some areas of corruption.
How would you rate the performance of the Government over the last three years in dealing with corruption?
Excellent two per cent
Good four per cent
Fair 21 per cent
Poor 35 per cent
Extremely poor 38 per cent