WHAT DO PARENTS WANT? STUDY OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE PARENTAL CHOICE OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SCHOOL IN QATAR

Abstract

This study aims to identify factors that significantly influence parents in Qatar in their preference for private or public schools for their children. Determining the effects of different factors regarding the choice of public or private school and identifying negative and positive aspects of each school type will enhance Qatar education decision-makers understanding of reasons influencing parental school choice which will help them in their future policy decisions regarding education. 322 parents participated in a web-based questionnaire survey to identify the differences in perceptions of public and private schools’ parents related to the academic factors; parent-school relationship and convenience factors. The data were analyzed and showed that there are five significant predictors of parental school choice. Parents who identified the importance of class size factor, parent-school relationship factor and additional curriculum factor are more likely to choose a private school. However, parents who identified the importance of consideration of religious factor and school facilities factor are less likely to send their children to a private school. The results from this study also demonstrated that there is no significant relationship between parents’ income and education levels and the school choice. This study contributes to the store of academic knowledge on the subject in Qatar.