<p align="left">Concerns have been raised about the failure of students in quality of academic performance in public sector school over the past few years. Therefore, this research study was conducted to explore the factors which affect the quality of academic performance of students in public sector schools. Mixed methods research design was used to explore this phenomenon in the district Sheikhupura. Using multi-stage random sampling techniques out of 45 boys and girls school in the district 10 boys’ and 10 girls’ schools were selected. All stakeholders— students, parents, teachers, and heads from those schools were selected in the sample of total 300. Quantitatively close ended self-developed questionnaires were used to collect data from 120 students and 120 parents. Qualitatively semi-structured interviews were used to generate data from the participants—40 teachers and 20 heads from the schools. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques and thematic description approach was used to analyze the different data sets. Various causes of students’ failure and remedial suggestions were discovered in the analysis. The results have serious implications for school education department of the province, Punjab.  </p><p align="left"><strong>Keywords:</strong> academic performance, failure, public sector schools, students</p>