Influence of school type on senior secondary school physics students’ learning difficulties and misconceptions about electricity in Ondo West Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria

This study investigates the influence of school type on senior secondary school physics students' learning difficulties and misconceptions regarding electricity in Ondo West Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 300 students across 20 schools, equally divided between public and private institutions, using the Simple Electric Circuit Diagnostic Test (SECDT). The findings reveal that misconceptions about electricity are widespread, with significant percentages of students struggling with fundamental concepts such as current flow and circuit arrangement. Notably, the analysis indicates that school type significantly affects students' difficulties with electricity concepts, as those in private schools exhibited higher difficulty mean scores compared to their public school counterparts. These insights highlight the need for targeted educational interventions that address misconceptions and leverage culturally relevant teaching methods to improve physics education outcomes. The study underscores the importance of understanding the educational context to enhance teaching practices and bridge gaps in students' comprehension of critical scientific concepts.