A Comparative Study of Students’ Perception and Challenges of Online Education at Government and Private Secondary Schools

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions and challenges associated with online education among secondary school students, emphasizing a comparative analysis between government and private institutions. A total of 300 students split between government and private schools in Patiala district, Punjab, took part in the study by filling out a self-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed five key dimensions: Technical Challenges, Health and Psychological Issues, Support Services and Communication, Cost-Related Issues, and the Quality of Teaching and Learning. The data was examined using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests. While no significant differences were found in other areas, government school students reported far more trouble with support services and their overall experience. These results show that online learning problems are common, but they also show that there are big differences based on the type of school. The study calls for specific policy actions to eliminate these institutional disparities and make digital education fairer in all types of schools.