Public and Private Schooling in Nigeria

The study aimed to provide insights into the public and private schooling landscape in Nigeria, with a particular emphasis on household expenditures and the socio-economic factors influencing school choice. The distribution of children by school type and zone in 2015 revealed that 26% of children attended primary school in government schools in the North zone, while 10% attended private schools in the same region. In contrast, 35% of children in the South East zone attended private schools, with 26% attending government schools. The distribution of children by school type and residence showed that 30% of children in urban areas attended private schools, while 19% attended private schools in rural areas. Household expenditures on education varied significantly by school type and level. The average household expenditure per child in primary school was 6,425 in government schools and 34,786 in private schools. In Junior Secondary School (JSS), the average household expenditure per child was 16,811 in government schools and 51,713 in private schools. The average household expenditure per child in primary school by zone also varied, with the highest expenditure recorded in the South West zone, where the average household expenditure per child was 48,637 in private schools. The distribution of children in primary school by school type over time showed a steady increase in the number of children attending private schools, from 20% in 2004 to 33% in 2015. The average household expenditure per child in primary school by zone also showed a significant increase over time, with the highest expenditure recorded in the South West zone. The percent of children attending private school by wealth quintile and level in 2015 revealed that 68% of children in the highest wealth quintile attended private schools in JSS, while 22% of children in the lowest wealth quintile attended private schools in primary school. The study highlights the significant disparities in household expenditures on education and the socio-economic factors influencing school choice in Nigeria. The findings suggest that private schools are more expensive and accessible to wealthier households, while government schools are more accessible to poorer households. The study's results have implications for education policy and planning in Nigeria, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve access to quality education for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background.