This study examines and compares the motivational techniques employed in public and private secondary schools. The study was conducted in Faisalabad, Pakistan. A mixed-method approach was used by utilising qualitative as well as quantitative data collected through questionnaires filled out by students and interviews conducted with teachers from 12 secondary schools in the public and private sectors. Findings indicate that private schools outperform public schools in the use of effective motivational strategies. Lack of resources, large class sizes, limited access to professional development and the scarcity of technological resources were identified as some of the important challenges that teachers face in implementing motivation strategies. The research offers valuable insights for educators, policy makers, and stakeholders regarding the significance of motivation in education. The study recommends that resource constraints should be abolished, class sizes should be reduced to the optimal level and access to modern technology must be ensured, particularly in public schools, to enrich the learning environment.