Comparative Analysis of Mathematics Academic Achievement in Government versus Private Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Mathematics education plays a critical role in national development, particularly in science and technology advancement. This study comparatively analyzed students' mathematics performance in government and private secondary schools in Kano Metropolis, utilizing Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) results from 2015 to 2025. This study was necessitated due to persistence poor performance in both public and private schools in Kano. Through a comprehensive quantitative research approach, the study examined potential differences in academic achievement between these two educational sectors. Using a sample of 540 students selected through simple random sampling, the research employed descriptive statistical analysis of mean and standard deviation to evaluate mathematics performance. The findings revealed significant performance variations between government and private schools in 2015 and 2025, with private school students demonstrating consistently superior academic outcomes. These results underscore the importance of educational resources, teaching quality, and institutional infrastructure in mathematics education. It is therefore recommended that public schools should be equipped with educational resource, infrastructure and effective supervision of teachers.

Keywords: Mathematics Education, Public School and Private Schools.