Determinants of school choice: Understanding parental preference for public and private schools in Gilgit-Baltistan

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed at exploring the factors affecting parental choice of a school. It also explored
the sources of information which parents use in school choice. The data were collected through
questionnaire from 300 parents whose children were studying in ether public or private school. The
questionnaire contained list of twenty one factors which may have affected decision of school choice and
a list of six sources of information regarding the school choice. The most influential factors in choice of
public schools proved to be a. students' moral development b. quality of the teachers c. supportive and
caring school environment d. disciplined environment e. safety to and from school and in school . As far as
the parental choice of private school is concerned, the most influential factors were a. students' moral
development, b. reputation and school performance c. students' moral development, d. personal
interaction with the school i.e. PTM, e. disciplined environment. The most important sources of
information regarding the public sector schools were a. school ranking in result, b. interaction with school
staff c. word of mouth from parents’ social circle as friends/family/neighbors etc. d. school advertisement.
The most import sources of information regarding the private sector schools were school ranking in
results, interaction with school staff, word of mouth from parents’ social circle as
friends/family/neighbors etc. and school advertisement. Educational implications are also discussed.