Education is considered one of the most significant factor or elements in the socialisation process of every human, due to its capability to educate and enlighten the populace of a country. It is a tangible phase of learning demanded of any civilised and developed country. In order to improve the effectiveness of education, the educational sector deploys an institutional structure of learning that involves creation of academic curriculum that is duly noted across the nation in order to ensure balance in the academic process.
Over the years as development rises to its peak, the default manner of ownership of educational institutions that involves the government ownership as been faulted and set to be improved through privatisation, the giving of ownership of schools to private individuals or organisations. Though in some part of the nation private owned institutions were established before the colonial era in order to instigate the practice into the system by some Non governmental organisations such as religious entities.
In recent times, there has been a comparative study and analysis of private owned schools and government owned schools (Public schools). Though in some developed nations the quality of education and benefits of government owned schools are incomparable to the private owned schools this as a result of the rate of investment inserted into the educational sector by the government of such countries.
In order to maintain the credibility of this analysis based on the data and experience acquired I will focus this write up on schools in Nigeria only since it is the country I reside in. Throughout my academic pursuits, I attended a private school once which was during the early stage of my academic pursuits nursery and primary school, after then it has been public school all through.
In Nigeria, due to inability of the government to improve the educational sector and provide certain infrastructure and social amenities, the quality of education and capabilities of public schools has been deteriorating compared to private schools that are well funded by private individuals and organisations. As a result of this, people are inclined to doubt the quality of education and change their preference of public schools.
1) Lack of infrastructure: Due to lack of proper funding from the government most public schools in Nigeria are unable to obtain necessary equipment to enhance the Standard of education, unlike private schools that are funded by an individual or organisation most of them tends to have the necessary funds they need, though some public school operate on the revenue generated by the school without any governmental grants.
2) Low chances of Acceptance and Admission: There is always a high rate of applicant seeking admission into government owned schools or institution due to the low cost advantage, due to this getting admission becomes a challenge, you may have all the required grades and credentials and still not get admitted but unlike private schools getting admission is a lot easier as long as you can afford the cost and have the required grades.
3) Improper management of Academic calendar and time: Government owned schools and institutions especially in Nigeria are known for this, Due to lack of funding from government which has affected the salary of staffs. Chances of the academic Board and staff going on strike is very high which will affect the academic calendar and delay the students from graduating at appropriate time, unlike private schools, they do not have this kind of issues.
4) Over populated class rooms: Since government schools lack the necessary funds they need to manage the affairs of the school, most public schools has taken it upon themselves to seek revenue from excessive giving of admission to student that are more than the space provided, which has resulted to over populated class rooms and lecture halls, unlike private schools with limited admission.
1) Low cost: The cost of education in public schools are far lesser than private schools, this is one of the many reasons populace of Nigeria choose public schools over private schools.
2) National recognition: In the world of academic pursuits, recognition of an academic institute matters a lot, it adds more value to the certificate awarded by the institution. In some large companies they tend to consider the type of school a job seeker graduated from before considering their job application, Majority of private owned schools have not obtained the level of recognition that government owned institute have, it is like comparing the likes of University of Ife to Babcock and crescent University.
3) Quality Education and academic experience: Though this is not common among all government owned schools but in some ways I am unable to comprehend despite having low infrastructure for quality education students who attend government owned institute arguably tends to outshine other students who attend private schools in the labour market, it is as if we have been groomed to face the reality rather than pampered.
IN CONCLUSION
As a matter of fact when it comes to choosing a school especially in the secondary and tertiary level I will choose government owned institution over private schools always. If only our government could invest more in the educational sector to eradicate issues such as lack of infrastructure and delay of salary for the staff, if these issues were eradicated it will strengthen the standard of education in government owned schools and institutions.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled "Government owned and private owned" in hive learners community.
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All pictures are mine all else indicated otherwise
