A Comparative Study of Students' Academic Performance in English Language in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory

This research comparatively studied students’ academic performance in English Language in public and private senior secondary schools in Federal Capital Territory. The research design adopted was descriptive and ex-post facto surveys. Three research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Questionnaire titled, Comparative Study of Students' Academic Performance in English Language in Public and Private Senior Secondary Schools (CSAPEL), and data on record were the instruments used. The sample size was 380 and 370 students, as well as 1865 and 1734 data of students in public and private senior secondary schools respectively. Data analysis was by mean score, standard deviation and t-test statistics. Findings indicated that teaching aids/facilities have influence on students’ academic performance in English Language, teacher qualification has influence on students’ academic performance in English Language in public and private senior secondary schools, and private senior secondary school students perform better in English Language. Based on the findings, the recommendations proposed are that government and school proprietors should make concerted efforts to ensure that teaching aids/facilities are provided, government should ensure that only individuals with the requisite qualification in English Language are employed both in public and private schools.