A Comparison between Public and Private Schools’ Coverage of Science Scheme of Work in Upper Basic Secondary Education Curriculum in Nigeria

The aim of the study was to compare the extent of coverage of the prescribed science scheme of work in basic secondary school between privately owned schools (private schools) and Government owned schools (public schools) in Yenagoa Local Government of Bayelsa State. Science concepts in the Basic or Junior Secondary School (JSS) were taught in ‘Integrated Science’ as a subject in the school. To guide the study, two research questions were raised and answered as well as two hypotheses were stated and tested. The population was four secondary schools: two private and two public schools. The investigation covered JSS1, JSS2 and JSS3 of each school selected. The coverage of scheme work of the Integrated Science was examined from first term to third term of the academic session (2013/2014). The major instrument used for the data collection was a check list, questionnaire, and personal observation. It is discovered that both types of schools (private and public) use the same edition of scheme of work but have different coverage extent. In conclusion, the comparative analysis of the private and public schools on the extent of scheme of work coverage in integrated science revealed that private schools did better than the public schools. The reason why the private schools cover their scheme of work in science was because of organization of extra-lessons, extension of classes, and organization of holiday lessons. It was therefore recommended that public schools should borrow a leaf.