Students' Perspectives on Supportive Classroom Environments: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private Universities

Abstract

A positive classroom learning environment is critical to increasing student engagement, academic success, and general well-being. The main objective of this research was to compare the public and private university students’ perceptions about a classroom learning environment. The researcher used a quantitative methodology to compare the public and private university students’ perceptions about a supportive classroom learning environment. The study population comprised all public and private university students in Punjab province. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed to select two public universities (University of Okara and University of Sahiwal) and two private universities (Superior University, Lahore, and University of Lahore). Data were collected using a survey based on the Positive Classroom Learning Environment Scale from a sample of 407 university students (234 males and 173 females), including 199 from private and 208 from public sector universities. The study suggests that there was a significant difference between the perceptions of public and private university students about a positive classroom learning environment, and it was concluded that private universities are playing a better role than public universities in the development of a positive classroom physical environment. Teachers at all levels of education should consider a model of a positive classroom learning environment.