The effectiveness of private versus public schooling in Lesotho's education system

[摘要] English: The purpose of the investigation was, to determine and assess, the effectiveness of privateand public schooling in Lesotho's education system. Six performance indicators,considered by the populace of Lesotho as the most important indicators of effectiveschools, were used to measure the effectiveness of sampled private and public schools.The purpose of the study was also to highlight those performance indicators not fullyrealized in any of the sampled schools and to suggest appropriate measures for theirenhancement. The research further aimed at filling in the gap in the existing knowledge,and where possible refine previous findings and present new insights.In order to realize the stated purposes, a profound literature study for the theoreticalexposition and the grounding of the issues at stake, and document analysis for thedocumented practices of the sampled schools were undertaken. Empirical investigationconsisted in the first place of an exploratory survey of 125 volunteers (students, parentsand teachers, randomly chosen from the populace of Lesotho) aimed at general factfindingfor items to be included in the follow up questionnaires. In the quantitativeinvestigation, a questionnaire on perceptions on quality indicators that can play a role ineffectiveness of private and public schools in Lesotho, was administered to 55respondents (20 teachers, 11 parents, 7 administrators and 17 student) randomly chosenfrom three private and three public schools.) Qualitative data was gathered through aquestionnaire administered to 181 students and validated through in-depth focusedinterviews with 113 students from the selected schools. Their views were triangulatedthrough semi-structured interviews with 18 educators from the sampled schools. Valueadded statistics emanated from the results of standardized tests in numeracy and literacyadministered to 225 students and the perusal of external examination results of year 2001pertinent to the schools in the sample.The research, while admitting factors, which might threaten the objectivity or validity ofthe study and its generalization, reached a number of conclusions.As far as the effectiveness of private and public schooling in Lesotho is concerned, thereare inefficiencies in both schooling systems and not only in the public system, as theearlier research had concluded. Secondly, a school (whether private or public) may beeffective on some school effective performance indicators and ineffective on others asopposed to the earlier conclusion that all schools in the public schooling system inLesotho are ineffective. Thirdly, an effective or an ineffective school may not beeffective or ineffective for all students and lastly, the research has shown that there is nouniformity in policy in public schools in Lesotho with regard to student intake,management, recruitment of teachers, board of governors and financial dispensation andexpensation.The research has also validated, upgraded and identified the key areas of weaknesses andways of improvement in the private and public schooling systems in Lesotho. Theresearch has also added to international findings about the relative effectiveness ofprivate and public schools in the developing countries.The research reaffirms that for any changes to be meaningful and effective they should beeffected at the macro, meso and micro levels of the education system. The researchconcludes that if changes, as suggested by this study, are properly prepared for and,implemented, the future customers and stakeholders will experience an improvement onthe six indicators perceived by the sampled populace of Lesotho as the majorperformance criteria of effective schools.

[发布机构] University of the Free State