The growing level of disparity in the education standards between the private and the government owned schools/ educational institutions in Uganda

Abstract

The study examined the growing level of disparity in the educational standards between the private and government schools in Uganda. The study specifically concentrated on the objectives which included; to find out the causes of the growing differing levels of education standards in both private and government schools in the country, to establish the means by which the gaps can be filled so that every student can have access to the same standard of education and to suggest the measures that the Government can take to resolve inequalities in the education standards between the private and the public schools in Uganda. The study adopted a descriptive research design which involved use of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Primary and secondary sources were the major sources used while collecting data for the study. The sources used in obtaining data were Journals, News Paper Articles, Textbooks, Internet, Magazines and Research Publications. Findings revealed thatClass size is larger in public schools as compared to private schools, which has affected the academic performance of children in these public schools in Uganda, it was further realized by the majority of the respondents that teachers in public and private schools use similar teaching methods which further implies that schools all over the country has the capacity to improve on their education standards. It was concluded thatfamilies with annual incomes over $700 have the most choice to attend good schools which has enabled their daughters and sons to acquire better education standards in good schools, it was concluded by the majority of the respondents that private school principals have more influence over curriculum than their public school counterparts since they have the right to implement a proper management to ensure effective academic standards.It was emphasized that families in rural areas should engage themselves in agriculture work so as to raise annual incomes of over $700 so as to take their children to good schools, the researcher recommended that the sub county or local council leaders should encourage private school principals (or heads) to have more influence over the school curriculum since this will them to improve on their education standards in the region. The study emphasized that the government of Uganda should encourage public institutions to recruit highly qualified teachers that will help to improve on educational standards of their children.