The quality of education is a significant element to develop a nation. A research based on survey method has been conducted to discover the causes of increasing admissions attitude of parents in private schools and to analyze the standards of private educational institutions. The research was designed on survey method by using comprehensive questionnaires for students, parents and teachers of private schools. Data was taken from the teachers, students and parents by questionnaires. Three private schools of district Dera Ghazi Khan were nominated for data collection. The questionnaires were containing 12 items for students, 19 items for parents and 9 items for teachers. The data was tabularized, interpreted and evaluated for results. The collected data was analyzed by percentage formula. The findings of research indicate that curriculum, facilities, teacher’s abilities, motivation to the students and examination systems of these private schools is adequate for most of the parents.
Keywords: Parents approach, Private institutions, Facilities, Satisfactory, Dera Ghazi Khan.
Received: 3 April 2020 / Revised: 7 May 2020 / Accepted: 11 June 2020/ Published: 1 July 2020
The research was designed on survey method by using comprehensive questionnaires for students, parents and teachers of private schools.
A solemn encounter of the current age is to promote the morally developed, sensible and responsible citizens (Muhammad, Fatima, Qaiser, & Muhammad, 2020). The education is most important and basic accomplishments in all social cultures because sustained survival of a humanity rest on mainly on the transmission of its inheritance to the young generation. The education develops and cultivates a nation and builds up structure for all the improvements in society. The education is a procedure that is related with the transmission of information. The private institutions are the important features of education structures across the globe (Green, Machin, Murphy, & Zhu, 2012). Many researchers including (Bosetti, 2004; Jackson & Bisset, 2005; West, 2001) concluded that the status and examination results of private schools are crucial elements guiding parents’ school selections. The researchers (Van Pelt, Allison, & Allison, 2007) indicated that the parent’s level of schooling and social status are the main causes in choosing the private schools. Beavis (2004) stated that the family background status is an important factors for the parents to select the private schools. Dronkers and Avram (2010) identified the dissimilarities between private and public schools. They concluded that the school environment is one of the most important factor for the selection of schools. The main causes impelling parents’ choice in selecting private schools for their children are discussed below.
Abbreviations: SA (Strongly Agree), A (Agree), U (Uncertain), D (Disagree), SD (Strongly Disagree) Social Contextual
Catsambis (1998) investigated the parental involvement in educational activities. By applying various involvement indicators, he concluded that the various social factors including socio-economic, education of the parents, profession, and income status are the main factors for selection of schools. Rehman, Khan, Triq, and Tasleem (2010) conducted a research to find out the reasons of selecting private schools of parents. They found that the main factors for selecting private schools are the social status of parents, family background, income level, the number of family members, education level and academic performance of school.
1.1. Family Income
Family Income is the main aspect for selecting the schools for the children education (Rehman et al., 2010). (Dronkers & Avram, 2010) argued that wealthy people having high level of education mainly select the private schools for their children education.
1.2. School Curriculum
The syllabus taught in the private schools may be different from the public schools. Mostly the parents choose the private institutions that are pre-defined. Van, Allison, and Allison (2007) concluded that parents who select pre-defined institutions play a vital role for the development of moral values, confident, hardworking and many other characteristics in their children.
1.3. Facilities and Environmental Condition of School
Smith (2000) proposed that environment and facilities provided in the school are the key factors for the parents to select the school. The school building also play a vital role for the children to learn with the concentrate and can get their goals. The school building is a place where all the activities of the learning, organization and management are happened. If a school has a building in good condition then it may be proven a good place for the educational activities. Rehman et al. (2010) concluded that quality of education greatly depends on the environment provided in the school. Peterson and Llaudet (2006) argued that school facilities had large effect on the performance of students.
1.4. Performance of School
The environment and performance of the school has a close link. If the school has a good environment then it effects on the students’ performance. Berry (2002) conducted a research to check the impact of school environment on students’ performance for higher level education. He concluded that the schools that have a healthy environment have high academic performances.
1.5. Application of Computer Tools
Most of the private schools used audio visual aids in the class rooms. The use of computer tools have large impact on the students’ performance. The objectives to conduct this survey based research are (i) To determine the causes of growing admissions approaches in private schools. (ii) To find the community level of parents of students reading in private schools. (iii) To evaluate the standard of private schools.
Three private institutions The City School Dera Ghazi Khan, DPS Dera Ghazi Khan and The Educators Dera Ghazi Khan were selected for this research.
2.1. Tools of Research
The quantitative data was collected by using Questionnaires and Interview.
2.2. Sample Size
The sample nominated for survey study contained students, the teachers and parents of children studying in selected private schools. Three private schools from Dera Ghazi Khan were nominated randomly. 25 parents, 10 teachers and 25 students from each private school were nominated. Hence the size of sample was 180 people from three private schools. Questionnaires were circulated in all selected schools of Dera Ghazi Khan. 5 days were given to the respondents to fill the questionnaires.
2.3. Results Analysis
The results were analyzed with tables on the basis of percentage formula.
3.1. Evaluation and Presentation of Parent’s Questionnaires
Table-1. Why have you chosed this private schools?
Level |
For Good Education |
For good Status |
Only Option |
Frequency |
52 |
15 |
08 |
Percentage |
70 |
20 |
10 |
Table 1 shows that 70% parents have believed that they have chosen this private school for good educational performance while 20% parents for good status and only 10% of the parents have the only option.
Table-2. This private school financially affordable?.
Level |
Easily Affordable |
Barely Affordable |
Not Affordable |
Frequency |
17 |
49 |
09 |
Percentage |
22 |
66 |
12 |
Table 2 shows that 66% parents directed that financially this private school is barley affordable while 22% parents can afford it easily and 12% parents cannot afford it.
Table-3. Private schools welcome parents.
Level |
Yes |
To Some Extent |
No |
Frequency |
65 |
10 |
00 |
Percentage |
87 |
13 |
00 |
Table 3 shows that 87% parents agreed with the statement while 13% parents have believed to some extent and no parent is against the questionnaire.
Table-4. Parents visit the school?.
Level |
Once a month |
After every Exam |
Once a year |
Frequency |
16 |
54 |
05 |
Percentage |
21 |
72 |
07 |
Table 4 shows that 21% parents visit the school after a month while 72% parents after every exams and 7% after a year.
Table-5. The syllabus is state of the art and up to date?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
To Some extent |
Frequency |
48 |
20 |
07 |
Percentage |
64 |
26 |
10 |
Table 5 shows that 64% parents believed that the syllabus is state of the art and up to date and favors the statement while 10% parents agree to some extent and 26% parents are not agreed.
Table-6. The syllabus is according to your child’s goals and talents?
Level |
Yes |
No |
To some Extent |
Frequency |
58 |
14 |
03 |
Percentage |
77 |
19 |
04 |
Table 6 shows that 77% parents believed that the syllabus of the school is according to the child’s goals and talents while 19% parents are not agreed to the statement and 4% parents are uncertain.
Table-7. The syllabus is comprehensive for parents?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
To some Extent |
Frequency |
63 |
6 |
06 |
Percentage |
84 |
8 |
08 |
Table 7 shows that 84% parents agreed to the statement that the syllabus of these private schools is comprehensive while 8% parents are uncertain about the statement and 8% parents are not agreed.
Table-8. The performance of this school is superior than others?
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
25 |
30 |
12 |
08 |
00 |
Percentage |
33 |
40 |
16 |
11 |
00 |
Table 8 shows that the performance of school is superior that others according to 73% parents while 16% parents are uncertain and 11% parents are not agreed with the statement.
Table-9. The school has good environment?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
26 |
35 |
07 |
07 |
00 |
Percentage |
35 |
46 |
10 |
09 |
00 |
Table 9 shows that 81% parents are pleased with the environment of school while 10% parents are uncertain and 9% parents are not pleased with environment of school.
Table-10. Is school clean, green and well planned?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
35 |
34 |
06 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
47 |
45 |
08 |
00 |
00 |
Table 10 shows that 47% parents are strongly approved that the environment of the school is green, clean and well planned while 45% parents are just agreed and 8% parents are uncertain. The most of the parents are satisfied with the environment of the school.
Table-11. Is environment of the school safe and secure?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
20 |
49 |
06 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
26 |
66 |
08 |
00 |
00 |
Table 11 shows that 92% parents are satisfied with the school safety and 8% parents are uncertain about the statement.
Table-12. The class has ideal size?
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
05 |
21 |
11 |
30 |
08 |
Percentage |
07 |
29 |
14 |
40 |
10 |
Table 12 shows that only 7% parents strongly agree with the statement that the class is ideal and 29% parents are agreed with the statement, 50% parents are not satisfied with the statement while 14% of the parents are uncertain about the statement.
Table-13. The school has trained and qualified teachers?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
32 |
38 |
05 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
43 |
51 |
06 |
00 |
00 |
Table 13 shows that 94% parents are satisfied with the teacher’s qualification and training and 6% parents are uncertain about the statement.
Table-14. Are teachers committed to their profession?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
32 |
38 |
05 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
43 |
51 |
06 |
00 |
00 |
Table 14 shows that 94% parents are satisfied with the teacher’s commitment to their profession and 6% parents are uncertain about the statement.
Table-15. The teaching style of the teachers is good?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
45 |
23 |
07 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
60 |
31 |
09 |
00 |
00 |
Table 15 shows that 91% parents are agreed with the teaching style of the teachers while 9% parents are uncertain about the statement.
Table-16. Examination system of this school is good?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
23 |
41 |
06 |
05 |
00 |
Percentage |
30 |
56 |
08 |
06 |
00 |
Table 16 shows that 86% parents are agreed with the examination systems of school while 8% parents are uncertain about the examination system and 6% parents are not satisfied with examination system of the school.
Table-17. The students get good positions and grades in examination?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
35 |
33 |
03 |
04 |
00 |
Percentage |
46 |
44 |
04 |
06 |
00 |
Table 17 shows that 90% parents agreed with the statement that the students of this school get good positions and grades in the examination and 6% parents are not satisfied with the statement.
Table-18. The private schools develop leadership and confidence qualities in the students?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
29 |
41 |
03 |
02 |
00 |
Percentage |
38 |
55 |
04 |
03 |
00 |
Table 18 shows that 93% parents are satisfied with the statement that the private schools developed leadership and confidence qualities in the students and only 4% parents are uncertain about the statement and 3% parents are not satisfied with the statement.
Table-19. This school is building up English language skills?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
09 |
44 |
12 |
10 |
00 |
Percentage |
12 |
59 |
16 |
13 |
00 |
Table 19 shows that 71% parents are satisfied with the statement that the private schools are developing English language skills in the students while 16% parents are uncertain about the statement and 13% parents are not satisfy about the statement.
3.2. Evaluation and Presentation of Students’ Questionnaires
Table-20. Admission test was taken at the time of admission?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
75 |
00 |
Percentage |
100 |
00 |
Table 20 shows that 100% students agreed with the statement.
Table-21. The classroom has conducive environment?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
00 |
58 |
05 |
12 |
00 |
Percentage |
00 |
78 |
06 |
16 |
00 |
Table 21 indicates that 78% students agreed that the classroom has conducive environment and 16% student disagreed with the statement.
Table-22. Furniture is complete?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SA |
Frequency |
14 |
49 |
08 |
04 |
00 |
Percentage |
18 |
67 |
10 |
05 |
00 |
Table 22 shows that 85% private schools have enough furniture.
Table-23. There is library in school?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
75 |
00 |
Percentage |
100 |
00 |
Table 23 indicates that 100% schools have library facility.
Table-24. Meetings between teachers and parents are held in school?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
15 |
45 |
11 |
04 |
0 |
Percentage |
20 |
60 |
14 |
06 |
0 |
Table 24 shows that 80% students agreed that meetings are held between teachers and parents in the school while only 6% students are not agreed with the statement.
Table-25. Teachers use audio, video aids during lecture?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
14 |
42 |
09 |
10 |
00 |
Percentage |
19 |
56 |
12 |
13 |
00 |
Table 25 shows that 75% students agreed that the teachers use audio, video aids during lecture, 12% are uncertain about the statement and 13 don’t agree with the statement.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
75 |
00 |
Percentage |
100 |
00 |
Table 26 shows that 100% students agree that homework is given.
Table-27. Homework is checked regularly?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
75 |
00 |
Percentage |
100 |
00 |
Table 27 shows that 100% students agree that homework is checked by teachers regularly.
Table-28. Teacher encourages the discussion in classroom?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
16 |
38 |
09 |
12 |
00 |
Percentage |
21 |
50 |
12 |
16 |
00 |
Table 28 shows that 71% students agree that their teachers encourage them for discussion in the class while 12% students are uncertain about the statement and 16% students don’t agree about the statement.
Table-29. Individual attention is given?
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
21 |
32 |
12 |
10 |
00 |
Percentage |
28 |
42 |
16 |
14 |
00 |
Table 29 shows that 70% students agree that individual attention is given to them while 16% students are uncertain about the statement and 14% students don’t agree with the statement.
Table-30. English language skills are being developed by this school?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
26 |
38 |
06 |
05 |
00 |
Percentage |
35 |
50 |
08 |
07 |
00 |
Table 30 shows that 85% students agreed that English language skills are being developed by these schools while 10% students are uncertain about the statement and 10% students don’t agree about the statement.
Table-31. School has regular and good examination systems?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
75 |
00 |
Percentage |
100 |
00 |
Table 31 shows that 100% students agreed that school has regular and good examination system.
3.3. Evaluation and Presentation of Teacher’s Questionnaires
Table-32. School is at proper location?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
07 |
20 |
03 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
23 |
67 |
10 |
00 |
00 |
Table 32 shows that 90% teachers agreed about the statement that these schools are situated at proper location while only 10% teachers are uncertain about the statement.
Table-33. School building is satisfactory?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
04 |
20 |
06 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
13 |
67 |
20 |
00 |
00 |
Table 33 shows that 80% teachers agreed with the statement that school building is satisfactory while 20% teachers are uncertain about the statement.
Table-34. Does the Principal regularly visit the classrooms?.
Level |
SA |
A |
U |
D |
SD |
Frequency |
10 |
20 |
00 |
00 |
00 |
Percentage |
33 |
67 |
00 |
00 |
00 |
Table 34 shows that 100% teachers agreed with the statement that principal visits the classrooms regularly.
Table-35. Shortage of teachers in school?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
02 |
28 |
Percentage |
06 |
94 |
Table 35 shows that 94% teachers agreed with the statement and 6% teachers are not agreed with the statement.
Table-36. Teachers of this school are well qualified and trained?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
Frequency |
29 |
01 |
Percentage |
97 |
03 |
The Table 36 shows that 97% teachers of these private schools are well qualified and trained accordingly.
Table-37. Application of A.V. aids in classrooms for teaching?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
To some extent |
Frequency |
21 |
00 |
09 |
Percentage |
70 |
00 |
30 |
Table 37 shows that 70% teachers agreed with the statement that they use A.V aids in classroom for teaching while 30% teachers utilize A.V aids to some extent.
Table-38. Lesson is planned before class?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
To Some extent |
Frequency |
27 |
00 |
03 |
Percentage |
90 |
00 |
10 |
Table 38 shows that 90% teachers agreed with the statement that lesson is planned before taking class while 10% teachers planned their lessons to some extent.
Table-39. Classes are being taught according to qualification and subjects?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
To Some extent |
Frequency |
28 |
00 |
02 |
Percentage |
94 |
00 |
06 |
Table 39 shows that 94% teachers agreed with the statement that the classes are being taught according to the qualification and subjects of the teachers.
Table-40. Principal encourages the staff on good results?.
Level |
Yes |
No |
To Some extent |
Frequency |
27 |
00 |
03 |
Percentage |
90 |
00 |
10 |
Table 40 shows that 90% teachers agreed with the statement that principal encourages the staff on showing good results while 10% teachers have said to some extent.
A survey based research has been conducted to find out the reasons of increasing parent’s approaches for selecting private schools for their children at primary level. The results of survey indicated that there are many reasons to select the private schools. Some of the reasons are discussed here. The most of the children’s parents are pleased with the performance and environmental conditions of schools. The school buildings are safe and secure. The syllabus of these private schools are satisfactory. The teachers of schools are well qualified and trained accordingly and committed to their performance. According to majority of the parents the class size is ideal and examination system is regular and effective. The students of these private schools get good positions and grades in the examination. Most of the parents agreed that these private schools develop English speaking and learning skills, leadership qualities and confidence in the students. The fee package of schools is high according to the most of the parents. The syllabus is according to the student’s goals and talents. So these are some of the cause which attract parents to select the private schools for their children. There are also some recommendations (i) The fee of students must be decreased so that parents can easily afford. (ii) Teachers must be facilitated according to their hard working and their salaries must be increased.
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. |
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. |
Acknowledgement: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study. |
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