CAUSES OF LOW QUALITY PERFORMANCE OF PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS: AN EXPLORATION

Quality schools play an important role in provision of quality education to the nation. In Pakistan many educational reform programs have been launched time and again to improve the quality of education but still there is a gap in the produced and desired outcomes. There are many factors inside and outside the school that directly and indirectly influence the quality of education. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that cause low performance in elementary schools and a way forward. Data were collected from 347 teachers, 351 students and 24 principals from 24 public sector elementary schools. Data analysis revealed that indicators affecting the performance of schools are inefficient principals, unmotivated teachers, lack of essential teaching skills in teachers and students with low socio-economic status. The schools can be improved by ensuring the attainment of learning objectives by students, guiding teachers to use different teaching techniques and helping parents to support their children in studies at home.