<b>CHALLENGES IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: A STUDY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS</b>

This study aimed to investigate the administrative challenges facedby public and private schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, focusing on resource allocation, teacher training, governancereforms, policy implementation, and socio-cultural barriers. Theobjective was to identify differences in administrative practicesbetween the two sectors and assess their impact onschool management efficiency and performance. Using a quantitativeresearch design and a stratified random sampling approach, 384participants, including school administrators, teachers, andstudents, were selected from both school sectors. Data were collectedthrougha structured questionnaire comprising closed-ended and Likert-scaleitems. SPSS software was employed to analyze the data, includingdescriptive statistics, normality tests, and inferential statistics suchas t-tests and regression analysis. The findings revealed significant differences between public and private schools. Public schools inrural areas faced greater challenges in resource allocation, bureaucratic delays, and socio-cultural barriers such as genderdisparities. Private schools encountered more difficulties withfinancial sustainability and regulatory compliance. Regressionanalysis indicated that effective governance reforms andteachertraining positively impacted administrative efficiency in bothsectors. The study concluded that public schools, in particular, require moreresources and support, while both sectors benefit fromimprovedgovernance, policy implementation, and teacher development programs. Recommendations include enhancing policy execution, prioritizing governance reforms, increasing resources for publicschools, and addressing socio-cultural barriers. Keywords: Educational Administration, Public Schools, ResourceAllocation, Teacher Training