MANAGEMENT OF FREE AND COMPULSORY PRIMARY EDUCATION IN NORTH – WEST ZONE, NIGERIA: MYTHS AND LOCAL REALITIES.

Abstract

This paper examines the provision and management of free and compulsory primary education program in North – west zone of Nigeria. Two research objectives guided the conduct of the study. Literature on historical antecedents of primary education, problems and challenges experienced along the journey, current trends and other related issues are reviewed. The study discovers that; inadequate funding, rapid expansion in enrolment figures, poor infrastructure and inadequate facilities, ineffective supervision, inadequate data for planning, brain-drain and proliferation of poor quality teachers and insecurity are among the foremost hitches militating against effective management of free and compulsory primary education program in North – west zone. It is based on these findings that improving community participation in the management of public primary education through school – based management committees and PTA, and patronizing school – based staff developmental programs, among others are recommended for improvement.