Comparison of Academic Climates of Public and Private Secondary Schools of Taxila

This study investigates the academic climate of public and private secondary schools in the Taxila District. A causal comparative research design was employed for this study. A total of 300 students from ten public and ten private secondary schools were selected using stratified random sampling. The tool was a structured survey questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale. The tool was developed on four sub-constructs, including teacher-student relationship, instructional methods, resource availability, and school environments. The tool was validated through expert opinion and was pilot tested. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient was found to be 0.76. Data was gathered through in-person visits. Descriptive statistics were used to find the levels of academic climate, and inferential statistics (t-test) were used to compare construct-wise and overall academic climates of public and private schools. The results revealed that private schools had better teacher-student relationships and a better overall academic climate as compared to public schools. However, public schools demonstrated greater inclusivity by catering to diverse socioeconomic groups and in resource availability. Encouraging public-private partnerships and resource sharing can enhance the overall academic climate.