BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BASIC SCHOOLS

     It’s no secret that results that come out of the Basic Education Certificate Education shows that school at private level do perform incredibly well, not to say that the public school do not do well but however not comparable to the public schools.

Every individual or student needs a good platform or foundation to get going, thus in terms of climbing the educational ladder and also career, therefore the basic level foundation needs to be very solid. However pupils or student who go through the public schools system at the basic level popularly known as or called ‘’sito’’ in the local parlance do not come out with good grades to even continue with the second cycle institutions and further up the ladder. This article will seek to address some of the challenges and try to recommend some solutions.

     One problem with the public schools I believe is, there is poor supervision, thus the teachers employed turn to use the lesson hours to engage in non-academic activities and most at times in selfish interest like, working and stacking of lotto, sleeping, loitering and some do not even come to the class at all. This issue may be a problem or challenge to basic schools because of the absence of effective supervision especially the external ones. This attitude however affects the student at great deal and schools at their final exams results. Some of these teachers are not fully qualified to teach but gain admissions and placements and turn to deliver their best.

                                            (a basic school block)

     Another challenge with public basic schools is the lack of infrastructures and other educational materials to make teaching effective, easy and comfortable for both teachers and their students. Most of these schools operate a system called the ‘’shift system’’ whereby the students virtually every class is divided into two groups or parts attending morning class and other due the afternoon, which is attended periodically. This system is not the best because it does not allow the students more hours of studying and this is due to the inadequate classrooms, even though the government have made some strides in controlling the situation, a lot is still expected. The effect of these is what we all know as poor results.

Poor remuneration or better still not enough of it and incentives. Teachers at the public basic school really do worry about their income or salary with most claiming they are not sufficient, hence compelling them not to give off their best and innocent students being the victims of the action of  their teachers. Now we have been able to enumerate some challenges of public basic schools that makes sets them apart on a decline from the private once, we look at some recommendations. The educational offices at the various district level should be proactive, thus making sure they appoint supervisors to various schools to ensure to the detriment of students. Punishment should be meted out to the recalcitrant ones to sanitize the system.

     Also as stated earlier on as the government is trying its best to abolish the ‘’shift system’’  by providing them with enough structures to cater for students among which some study under trees, but however it can do more and also individuals, philanthropist can also come to the aid to help build or produce efficient youth for the count. Increment of salaries, allowances among other incentives should be considered by stakeholders to urge teachers on.

Some of these things are what private schools are doing right to gain better results, and I believe if some of the recommendations are considered it could bridge the gap between the public and private basic schools. Obviously, this piece is not exhaustive therefore I urge all to continue the discusses and help bridge this gap.