NEDS 2015: Public and Private Schooling in North East Zone

According to data from 2015, the majority of children in the zone attend public schools, with approximately 83% of children enrolled in public institutions. In contrast, private schools account for around 17% of children in the zone. The distribution of children by school type varies across different states within the North East Zone. In Borno State, for instance, 92% of children attend public schools, while in Yobe State, the figure is slightly lower at 85%. Adamawa State has the highest proportion of children in private schools, with around 25% of children enrolled in private institutions. Household expenditures on education also vary significantly depending on the level of education and school type. On average, households spend around N 12,000 per child per year on primary education in public schools. In contrast, households spend around N 20,000 per child per year on primary education in private schools. For junior secondary school education, households spend around N 18,000 per child per year in public schools and around N 30,000 per child per year in private schools. The average household expenditure per child in primary school also varies across different states within the North East Zone. In Borno State, households spend around N 10,000 per child per year on primary education, while in Yobe State, the figure is around N 15,000 per child per year. Adamawa State has the highest average household expenditure per child in primary education, with around N 22,000 per child per year. The data on household expenditures on education highlights the significant financial burden that households in the North East Zone face in order to educate their children. The high costs of private education, in particular, may limit access to education for many children in the zone.