Much has been said and done about the different and similarities between public schools and private schools. Parents keep having arguments and discussions on where to send their children to learn basic education.
However, in every discussion, particularly on school effectiveness, the public schools seem to come out of losers. Private schools are often perceived to be more effective, with at least some evidence to buttress the position. Public schools, on the other hand, disclose information showing that graduates of public schools are competetive and doing just as well as the likers of the private school products. In the midst of all these things, it is but proper to explore areas where parents could lean on either public or private schools, and eventually decide their choices for themselves. Clearly, the support of public schools comes from government subsidies. Almost all the needs and services given to the children of public schools are from the people’s taxes. Private schools run and achieve their goals and objectives through the tuition fees and support of other private organizations.
Teachers of public and private schools differ in some ways. A regular permanent public school teacher goes through a series of processes – like ranking – in which qualification standards and requirements should be met in order to be given a regular teaching item. From less than 50 or more teacher applicants, only 1 or 2 can be hired. In private schools, though they also have ranking, the competetion seems to be less stiff compared to that in public schools.
One big difference between the two institutions is the organization and management. Overall, public and private schools are organized differently in areas such as school and class size. Public schools can accommodate as many as 70 children in one class. Due to government policies that no learner be deniied an education. All schools are mandated to admit all enrollees. Aside from that, most of the policies being implemented in schools nationwide come from the Central Office. Private schools have their own sets of rules and regulations depending on the management’s mission and vision.
Evidently, decision making in the two institution differ. Private school principals have more influence over curriculum than their public school counterparts. Recently, however, private schools have to subject their learners to the NAT conducted for all the public school children. This achievement test is aimed to assess the learning being gained by private school children, and eventually intervention programs might be acted upon.
It can be concluded, therefore, that a learner’s academic success depends not so much on whether he or she attended a private or public school but rather on how he presents his total personality like the wat he acts, mingles and respects other persons. It is also dependent on how he transforms into action the learning he acquired from the said institution.
By: Ms. Maricel A. Hualde | Teacher III | Cabcaben Elementary School
