HOUSEHOLD COSTS OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACCESS AND COST-REDUCTION STRATEGIES

This paper examined the household cost of primary education in Nigeria and its implications for access and cost-reduction strategies.The study adopted a qualitative, conceptual, and analytical approach based entirely on existing literature.The paper is guided by Human Capital Theory, which explains how investment in education improves individual and national productivity.The paper examines the concept of household cost of primary education, with particular attention to what parents actually pay for primary schools including uniforms, textbooks, P.T.A levies, transportation costs, and other hidden charges.The paper also discusses issues of access to primary education in Nigeria and identifies several cost reduction strategies already being implemented including the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, UBEC's free instructional materials distribution, and the provision of free school bags and uniforms.The paper concluded that while these interventions have helped, much more is needed.It was recommended that government should increase funding for public primary schools, ensure full implementation of the Universal Basic Education Act, expand school feeding and textbook distribution programmes, and provide free transportation for children.