Comparison of Public and Private Schools’ Early Childhood Education Quality in Context of Availability of Learning Facilities in Pakistan

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17359266

Abstract

In the context of the quality of ECE, there is a stress on how to ensure excellence in children learning outcomes by promoting various learning activities. The dropout rate is in public and private schools is increasing, parents are not satisfied about their children's schooling; therefore, parents pay less attention to their children, the population is increasing, and basic facilities for pre-schoolers’ are lacking. These are factors that need to be addressed for children's schooling. Therefore, there was a need to compare public and private schools ECE quality in context of availability of learning facilities in Bannu Division. The study was descriptive in nature. The population of the study was comprised of all public primary and private schools (n=3529) of Bannu Division (District Bannu, District Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan). The sample of the study was consisted of 360 schools. The researcher followed Gill et,al,(2010) as a Source for determination of sample size for the study. For the collection of data, the researcher personally developed Learning Environment Observation Checklist consisted of six statements. The research instrument was finalized after a process of pilot testing. The validity and the of reliability the tool were confirmed in light of the guidance of the experts. The data was entered in the SPSS 24. The reliability co-efficient Cronbach’s Alpha value was found 0.78 which was suitable to take a prudent start of the data collection on the tool. The researcher visited the sample school, sought permission from the school heads and observed the ECE classrooms. Keeping in view the observation of ECE, the researcher also asked certain questions stated in the LEOC and marked (ü) in the relevant columns. Throughout the data collection process the research ethics were fully observed. Mean and standard deviation as descriptive statistics as well as independent sample t-test were used as inferential statistics. Finding showed that both public and private schools children were facilitated, with age appropriate big and small colourful books to promote the reading habits. Similarly, it was viewed by both public and private schools that Children were provided opportunities for observation and experimentation in order to understand the world around them but home related activities in both public and private schools were not at all practised by children. Public and private schools were observed that Teachers have “very little” provided children with opportunities for creative expression in form of some art work although public schools were better at all.

Keywords: Quality of Early Childhood Education, Learning Facilities, Public and Private School, Bannu Division