Factors influencing high academic performance in private and public schools: Perception of heads and teachers in the KEEA municipality

Abstract

The difference in academic performance in public and private basic schools has been the concern of many researchers and educationists in recent times. The study was conducted to find out Heads’ and teachers’ perception of factors that promote high academic performance of private schools as compared to public schools in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Data was collected using ten public and private Junior High Schools each in the KEEA Municipality. Questionnaires were used for the data collection in the study. Data collected was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Respondents generally agreed that a good management system by the Head contributes immensely to academic performance. A good commitment by teachers was not ruled out by a high percentage of respondents. They agreed to a very great extent that good commitment of teachers also influence the academic performance of the pupils. It was recommended that teachers should be motivated to boost their morale in and out of the classroom.