1 The difference of government and

private education sector

INTRODUCTION

Research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the investigation of

matter. This research provides scientific information and theories for the explanation of the

nature and the properties of the world around us. Research process is the ordered set of

activities focused on the systematic collection of information using accepted methods of analysis

as a basis for drawing conclusions and making recommendations. The research conducted by us

constitutes of the things mentioned and we are following the research process steps for our topic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research, (Retrieved on 23/12/08)

 2 The difference of government and
private education sector

RESEARCH PROCESS
 3 The difference of government and
private education sector

1. Identify the research topic

The topic of our research is the “The difference of government and private education sector “

Purpose of the research

 4 The difference of government and
private education sector

The purpose is to identify the issues and problems faced by the students studying in government

schools. The reforms government is taking to improve the standards for education and what

measures are needed to improve the system.

Universe of the Research

The universe for this research is Lahore and the resources used are secondary resources.

Importance of research problem

Education plays a very important role in growth and progress this increasingly competitive and

globalize world. In the developing countries like Pakistan there is a great need to improve the

education system for growth and development. Education is important in not only grooming the

person but it is very important in building up confidence and self esteem among the people. And

to create awareness among the people to know their roles and rights in the society in the society.

Evidences from the developing countries shows that education is becoming one of the most

effective tools used to empower women and create tolerance within the society.

The education sector of Punjab has a very significant impact on the overall economy of Pakistan.

The literacy rate of the Punjab is much higher if we compare it with other provinces. Ita literacy

rate is more than 50%. According to education census there are 227791 out of which 48% are

situated in Punjab. The government of Punjab is always one step ahead of the other provinces in

education sector and has introduced so many educational reforms but the condition of the

education sector is still very backward if we compare it with the world.

http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-08/Education-2007.asp (Retrieved on

23/12/08)

Problems in government sector

➢ Ethical Issues.
 5 The difference of government and
private education sector

➢ Differentiation in Education Standards.

➢ Non availability of books.

➢ Security Issues.

➢ Teachers are not co-operative.

➢ Campus less schools.

➢ Nepotism.

➢ Paper conducting is not satisfactory.

➢ Not practical education.

➢ Limited syllabus.

➢ Discrimination in paper checking.

➢ Invigilators are not honest.

➢ No incentives to teachers.

➢ No financial aid to deserving students.

➢ Insufficient scholarships to intelligent students.

➢ No dress code checking in schools.

➢ Technology deficient institutes.

➢ Not well equipped institutes.

➢ Higher enrollment in classes

➢ No IQ tests

➢ Pick and drop problems.

➢ Conservative environment.

➢ Less content covered from the syllabus.

➢ No team work.

➢ Child labor
 6 The difference of government and
private education sector

➢ Favoritism

➢ Student abuse

➢ There are lesser libraries in the region

➢ Plagiarism

➢ Hygienic issues

➢ Improper utilization of potentials

➢ Mismanagement

➢ Insufficient allocation of budget

➢ Missing Facilities and Lack of Infrastructure

Type No.
Shelter less Schools 3,572
Dangerous Building Schools 4,264
Schools without Drinking water 13,925
Schools without Boundary Walls 19,748
Schools without Toilets 21,636
Schools requiring furniture 18,515
Other miscellaneous shortages
Total cost of missing facilities Rs. 24,365 m

http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-08/Education-2007.asp (Retrieved on

23/12/08)

Objectives of Research
 7 The difference of government and
private education sector

The research conducted is both qualitative and quantitative. The objective of this research is to

find the issues and problems that exist with this sector and why do theses problems prevail, what

are the measures being taken for the improvement and what are the goals, where do we stand

today in our education sector and what is the future vision.

MAIN BODY

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

We searched for various articles in newspaper and websites related to our topic. The relevant

topics are following:

Article # 1:

Role of private schools

This refers to an article on these pages by Babar Sattar titled “Stifling education” (Nov 22)

where he speaks of the predicament of private schools. Private schools are making

commendable contributions in promoting quality education in Pakistan especially since we

have a very low literacy rate and the government has limited resources to provide education

to all those who need it. In the existing state of affairs, provision of education by private

institutions is seriously threatened. For instance, in the cantonment areas it is mandatory to

get an NOC from station headquarters. However, the NOC has no legal status as its validity

is not accepted by courts.

In municipal areas as well there is no clear-cut policy on existing schools or on opening new

ones. Any old or new school can be challenged in a law court. As for the traffic nuisance, a

precedent has been set by the judgement of Lahore High Court which ordered closure of

schools in Lahore. However, if the LHC order is followed in letter and spirit then
 8 The difference of government and
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approximately 90 per cent private schools as well as government schools located in

residential areas should be closed.No one is denying the fact that citizens have a right to live

in peaceful residential areas and above-stated problems can be overcome by efficient and

careful traffic management. The answer does not lie in closing a school down. I urge

members of parliament and the government to formulate a clear policy on this, one that

unambiguously supports the private sector.

(Nasrin Tariq,2008, http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=151079 )

Article # 2:

Private vs. Public Schools: What's the Difference?

Public schools cannot charge tuition. They are funded through federal, state and local

taxes. When you pay your taxes, you are paying for your child's education and the

education of other children in your community.

Private schools cost money. Private schools do not receive tax revenues, but instead are

funded through tuition, fundraising, donations and private grants. According to the

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the median tuition for their

member private day schools in 2005-2006 in the United States was close to $14,000 for

grades 1 to 3, $15,000 for grades 6 to 8 and $16,600 for grades 9 to 12. The median

tuition for their member boarding schools was close to $29,000 for grades 1 to 3,

$32,000 for grades 6 to 12. Note that of the 28,384 private schools in the United States,

about 1,058 are affiliated with NAIS. The Digest of Education Statistics 2005 from the

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that for the 1999-2000 school

year, the average private school tuition was about $4,700.

Parochial schools generally charge less. According to the National Catholic Educational

Association, in their annual statistical report in 2005-2006, the average elementary

 9 The difference of government and
private education sector

school tuition for Catholic schools (in 2005) was $2,607; the average freshman tuition

(for 2002-2003) was $5,870. Catholic Schools enroll more students (49%) than any

other segment of private schools.

Public schools admit all children. By law, public schools must educate all children,

including students with special needs. To enroll in a public school you simply register

your child by filling out the necessary paperwork.

Private schools are selective. They are not obligated to accept every child, and in many

private schools admission is very competitive.

Public schools must follow all federal, state and local laws in educating children. Such

laws usually include specifics about funding, program development and curriculum.

Private schools are not subject to as many state and federal regulations as public

schools. Since private schools are funded independently, they are not subject to the

limitations of state education budgets and have more freedom in designing curriculum

and instruction.

Public schools offer a general program, designed for all children, which usually

includes math, English, reading, writing, science, history and physical education. In

addition to these key subjects, many public schools offer programs in music and art. In a

public school, the substance of what children learn is mandated by the state and learning

is measured through state standardized tests.

NOTE: The charter school movement is picking up momentum in many states; these

schools are public, but many offer specialized programs and smaller classes.

Private schools have the flexibility to create a specialized program for students. For

example, private schools may use art or science in all classes, or take children on

extended outdoor trips that blend lessons across the curriculum. Private schools can
 10 The difference of government and
private education sector

create their own curriculum and assessment systems, although many also choose to use

standardized tests.

Public schools: All teachers in a public school are usually state certified or, at a

minimum, working toward certification. Certification ensures that a teacher has gone

through the training required by the state, which includes student teaching and

coursework.

Private schools: Teachers in private schools may not be required to have certification,

and instead often have subject area expertise and an undergraduate or graduate degree in

the subject they teach.

Public schools: The children at most public schools usually reflect the community.

Students may be split up based on ability or interests, but in many public schools, there

is a diversity of student backgrounds.

NOTE: In many states, if you are not satisfied with your assigned school, you may be

able to send your child to another public school in the area. Start here to learn more

information about these options.

Private schools: The student population at a private school is determined through a

selection process; all students must apply and be accepted in order to attend. Although

students may be from different neighborhoods, they will probably have similar goals

and interests. This tends to create a fairly homogenous student body.

Public schools: Due to special education laws, public schools must educate all

children, and provide the necessary programs to meet their special needs. This means

that most public schools have special education programs and teachers who are trained

to work with students who have particular needs.

Private schools: Private schools do not have to accept children with special needs, and
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private education sector

many choose not to (although there are a small number of private schools specifically

designed for special needs children). As a result, most private schools do not have

special education programs or teachers trained to work with students with severe special

needs. Private schools will try to help all the students they admit, but extra resources

may also come at an additional cost.

Public schools: Many states recognize the value of small classes and have provided

funding to keep class sizes small in grades K-3. As students become older, class size

tends to get bigger in public schools, especially in large school districts and urban

schools.

Private schools: Private schools are generally committed to providing small classes and

individual attention to students. Many parents choose private schools for this reason.

There are a few fundamental differences between public and private schools, but here's

the bottom line: There are great private schools and there are great public schools. The

trick is finding the school that best fits your child's needs. You may also want to

consider public charter schools or homeschooling. It's a good idea to research the

schools that interest you and, to get a true picture of the school, visit in person.

http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/197 (retrieved on 24/12/08)

Article # 3

Private and public schools lack playgrounds

Personality development of children but it is a bitter reality that the majority of private and

public schools lack playgrounds, which affects students’ physical and mental fitness.

The condition of public schools is somewhat better than private schools as

 12 The difference of government and
private education sector

their campuses are built on a vast piece of land unlike private schools

operating in small buildings or even houses. There are some private schools

that offer playgrounds and sports which public schools cannot afford.

Sadly, indoor games are uncommon in schools owing to which students seldom find

opportunities to spare time for sports.

By and large, there is a lack of playgrounds in the provincial metropolis which compels

children to play in streets or on roads. The paucity of play areas and fewer sports

opportunities encourage children to rely on computer games. The tendency to play computer

games among children has been on the rise over the years.

Academic circles believe that sports and games play a significant role in

character building. They say that students learn the significance of teamwork, commitment

to a job, sense of responsibility and a spirit of tolerance and forbearance by taking part in

sports.

They argue that one of the major reasons for students’ inclination to playing computer

games and internet surfing was a lack of sports facilities available to them. They are also

very critical of private schools, saying the commercialisation of education

had turned it from a divine mission into a business.

Faisal, a concerned citizen, said it was unfortunate that the majority of

 13 The difference of government and
private education sector

private schools did not care about students’ basic needs but charged handsome fees. He said

private schools operated in one or two-room buildings, adding offering

playgrounds to students was a huge challenge for such schools. He said in the absence of

any sports-related activities, students were compelled to find alternatives.

Nasir, a government schoolteacher, said majority of government schools were housed in big

buildings and had playgrounds for students unlike private schools. “The

infrastructure of government schools, however, is going to waste as they do not organise

sports activities on a regular basis,” he said. He said the condition of education institutions

for girls was even worse as they did not at all encourage students to participate in sports.

Another teacher said that at a time when most of public schools in the

province were without basic facilities, the issue of sports was not important. “For me the

provision of missing facilities such as electricity, toilets and boundary walls is more

important than providing students with playgrounds,” he remarked.

Commenting on the issue, Schools Education Department Secretary Nadeem Ashraf said

sports at school had been pushed into the background over the years. He said the

government was devising a strategy to promote sports at schools.

(Khalid Khattak,2008, http://livenreal.com/news/index.php/lahore-most-of-private-schools-

without-playgrounds)

Article # 4:

21 government schools in Lahore non-functional

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private education sector

AS many as 21 government schools in District Lahore have been non-functional for the last

many months, exposing lack of interest and commitment on part of officials concerned.

Sources in the Punjab School Education Department told The News that reports recently

submitted by Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants (MEAs) of the Chief Minister’s

Monitoring Force disclosed that there were dozens of non-functional schools in each district

of the province.

The sources added most of these schools stopped functioning during previous regime

because of acute shortage of schoolteachers.

They said some single-teacher schools and shelter-less schools have also become non-

functional with the passage of time in different parts of the province.

They said in some cases, there were schools but interestingly there were no students. A

number of schools became non-functional after migration of locals from a particular area in

the wake of expanding residential societies, they added.

It is learnt that non-availability of buildings and illegal occupations were also the main

causes behind non-functional schools.

A senior official commenting over the issue said the government schools could never

become non-functional unless the officials concerned pay constant attention in connection

with the affairs of the school.

He further said shortage of teachers could be overcome by rationalising the number of

teachers working in schools of neighbouring areas, adding that it was responsibility of

EDOs to take timely action against the illegal occupants.

“The problems multiply when the concerned shut their eyes and not make efforts to solve

the problems,” he added.

The sources said that Secretary School Education Department, Nadeem Ashraf, while taking
 15 The difference of government and
private education sector

notice of the situation issued strict instructions to the Education EDOs across the province

to explain reasons for non-functioning of schools in their respective districts.

He had also directed the EDOs to make all-out efforts to make the non-functioning schools

functioning ones soon after the annual summer vacation, they added.

It is also learnt that the issue regarding non-functional schools would be taken up in meeting

of Secretary Schools with Education EDOs on 7 July.

An official from the office of Lahore Education EDO, seeking anonymity, said most of the

non-functional schools of the District Lahore were in the areas of Aziz Bhatti Town and

Wahga Town.

He said expanding residential societies were major factors behind the schools going non-

functional.

“In such cases, locals migrated to other areas owing to which schools are left without any

students,” he added.

When contacted, Secretary School Education Department, Nadeem Ashraf, confirmed that

the matter regarding non-functional schools would be taken up in the meeting scheduled for

July 7.

He said rationalisation of teaching staff in government schools was underway in order to

engage surplus staff in schools, which were facing acute shortage of teachers.

http://lahorenama.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/21-government-schools-in-lahore-non-

functional (retrieved on 24/12/2008)

3. HYPOTHESIS CONSTRUCTION

Private sector of education is providing much better and required facilities than the

government sector. We have found this by the following observations:

 16 The difference of government and
private education sector

➢ Quality education

➢ Punctuality

➢ Better teaching system (Highly qualified and trained teachers)

➢ Providing basic facilities

➢ Better infrastructure

➢ Latest technologies

➢ Better enrolment system

➢ Proper governance

4. RESEARCH DESIGN

Sampling method

The sampling method chosen for our research is non probability sampling. In non-

probability sampling method the elements of the population do not have any known and

equal chance of being chosen in the sample. We have chosen this method because it is used

to get the required information quickly and efficiently.

5. DATA COLLECTION

Data are the basic input to any decision making process. The data collection techniques used

are both primary and secondary. The primary source is

➢ Questionnaires

➢ Group discussions

➢ Survey

The secondary sources are

➢ Internet

➢ Newspapers
 17 The difference of government and
private education sector

6. DATA ANALYSIS

From the data collection techniques we have come to the decision that private

schools are running in adequate manner infrastructure and other basic facilities are

being fulfilled where as the development in the Government education sector is slow

and is being shown by the graph:

CONCLUSION

7. FINAL REPORT

From the hypotheses conducted we have come to the conclusion that the hypotheses

conducted was true. The results for our research are that the government sector needs to

work further for the development and improvement in the system. All children have right to

get quality education and this is the prime responsibility of the government to provide them

with quality and up to the mark education. The recommendations for the government

education sector are as following:

 18 The difference of government and
private education sector

Recommendations:

➢ Proper training should be given to teachers and the staff.

➢ Because there is political instability in the country so the government should

separate the department from the government. So that no change in government

could effect any program introduced by the government because billions of rupees

are invested in every program but the new government changes it by saying that this

project is not feasible.

➢ The government should continue the running programs instead of introducing new

program or instead of building new schools government should reconstruct the old

schools while providing all the facilities.

➢ The government should make the availability of the books because books are not

available in the market if available they are sold in black on more than 100 % above

the actual prices of the books.

➢ There should be free extra coaching institutions for government schools students.

➢ Infrastructure should be improved.

➢ Playgrounds should be made for students recreate activities

➢ Additional funds should be raised for the development

➢ Student teacher ratio should be improved

➢ Dropouts of students should be reduced

➢ There should be optimum use of assets by starting 2nd and 3rd shifts.
 19 The difference of government and
private education sector

BIBLIOGRAPHY

➢ http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/197, (Retrieved on 22/12/08)

➢ http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=151079, (Retrieved on 22/12/08)

➢ http://lahorenama.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/21-government-schools-in-lahore-non-

functional/ , (Retrieved on 22/12/08)

➢ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research, (Retrieved on 23/12/08)

➢ http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-08/Education-2007.asp (Retrieved on

23/12/08)

➢ http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-08/Education-2007.asp (Retrieved on

23/12/08)

➢ (Nasrin Tariq,2008, http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=151079 )

➢ http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/197 (retrieved on 24/12/08)

➢ (Khalid Khattak,2008, http://livenreal.com/news/index.php/lahore-most-of-private-

 20 The difference of government and
private education sector

schools-without-playgrounds)

➢ http://lahorenama.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/21-government-schools-in-lahore-non-

functional (retrieved on 24/12/2008)

➢ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research, (Retrieved on 23/12/08)

➢ http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-08/Education-2007.asp (Retrieved on

23/12/08)

➢ http://www.interface.edu.pk/students/Jan-08/Education-2007.asp (Retrieved on

23/12/08)

➢ (Nasrin Tariq,2008, http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=151079 )

➢ http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/197 (retrieved on 24/12/08)

➢ (Khalid Khattak,2008, http://livenreal.com/news/index.php/lahore-most-of-private-

schools-without-playgrounds)

➢ http://lahorenama.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/21-government-schools-in-lahore-non-

functional (retrieved on 24/12/2008)