A Comparative Study of the Administrative Efficiency of Principals in Public and Private Secondary Schools in Maroua, Far North Region, Cameroon

This study sought to compare the administrative efficiency of principals in public and private secondary schools in Maroua, capital of Far North Region. Two research questions were posed and one null hypothesis formulated to guide the study. Thirty (30) schools principals i.e. 15 from the public and 15 from the private sectors were used for the study. A questionnaire entitled; Comparative Study of Administrative Efficiency in Public and Private Secondary Schools Questionnaire (CSAEPPSSQ) which consisted of 48 items was used to elicit information from the respondents. While mean scores and standard deviations were used to analyze the research questions, t–test statistic was used to test the only hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The result indicated that the public and private secondary schools principals differed significantly in terms of the level of delegation of functions motivation of staff, general rapport, aesthetics of school premises, management of funds and administration procedures but did not differ in terms of supervision, enforcement of rules and regulations, decision–making, organization of meetings, supply of equipment and protection of school property. From the above, recommendations were made, among which was the appointments of principals in both public and private secondary schools be based on qualifications and experience.