Trend of sending children to private schools increases

PESHAWAR:

Though government schoolteachers in K-P are more qualified than those at private schools, majority of parents are sending their children for private education.

The numbers

According to Alif Ailaan’s 2015 survey, shared with The Express Tribune, in the last decade 56% children in K-P were enrolled at private schools. “At least 49% students from urban areas and 77% from rural areas study at government schools,” the report stated. According to the survey, 13% students from the lowest income groups, 24% from lower middle income group, 31% from middle, 42% from upper middle and 61% from the higher income group were enrolled in private schools.

Proof is in the learning

In private schools, the highest degree teachers have is a bachelor’s whereas in government schools, majority of the teachers have a master’s degree. When government schoolteachers are more qualified and more government schools exist in K-P, why are parents increasingly sending their children to private institutions. Statistics suggest the difference lies in the learning.

At the primary level, 60% private school students and 37% government school students can read a single paragraph in English and 54% private school children and 37% government school students can solve a simple mathematics problem.

Majority of the parents believe annual results reveal a marked difference in the quality and standard of education delivered. They believe private schools are equipped with better facilities, have a stronger implementation of the English medium and produce hard-working students.



According to the survey, private schools also have the benefit of electricity, water, toilets, boundary walls and playground – all of which are either absent or not well-maintained at government schools. Talking to The Express Tribune, education expert Malik Masood said, even though government schoolteachers were more qualified than those at private schools, they did not possess the technique to proactively educate children.

Differing opinion

Peshawar Primary Teachers’ Association President Azizullah Khan said admitting children into private schools has become “fashionable.” He said all those students who earned top positions in entry tests of medical and engineering colleges were from government schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2015.