Public versus private education in primary science: The case of abu dhabi schools

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Journal of Educational Research

Publication Date

8-7-2013

Abstract

This study compares public and private science education in sixteen Abu Dhabi primary schools. A survey including open-ended questions was used to assess teachers' perceived strengths and challenges in teaching science. Perceptions of primary school principals were analyzed through individual interviews. Both sets of data sources were coded and several themes were identified. The predominant findings show that science teaching in Abu Dhabi's schools faces a number of challenges. This study cannot conclude that either public or private education is superior in this context. However, it can begin to delineate how they differ. Many of the identified issues could be addressed by targeted, well-publicized professional development, which focuses on both teaching science content and integrating science throughout the curriculum. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

ISSN

0883-0355

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

62

First Page

51

Last Page

61

Disciplines

Education

Keywords

Private schools, Public schools, Science education, Teacher self-efficacy, United Arab Emirates

Scopus ID

84881001012

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

Share

COinS