Students’ Perceptions of School Climate: Differences between Private and Public Secondary Schools
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/star.v9i1.03Keywords:
perception, private school, public school, differencesAbstract
School climates in private and public institutions may differ given the unique characteristics of competitive pressure, family involvement, and key autonomy. Examining how private and public secondary school students perceive the school climate is the goal of this research. This study was conducted using a descriptive research design. The sample consisted of 650 randomly selected high school students (318 from private schools and 332 from public schools). The data were gathered using a questionnaire. Means and t-tests were used for data analysis. The results indicate that private secondary school students viewed the school climate more positively than their public secondary school counterparts. Analysis of the variable gender indicated that male and female students showed no significant variations in their overall impressions of the school atmosphere. However, concerning the specific dimensions of the school climate, male students were more positive towards their experience of peer support, whereas female students were more optimistic about the clarity of school rules than male students. Therefore, to increase students’ involvement in the school, it is necessary to create a pleasant and engaging school atmosphere. Thus, there is a need to create a conducive environment for school students to participate and keep them engaged.
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