PUBLIC PERCEPTON ON FUNDING AND MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BENUE AND NASSARAWA STATES

Public primary education is the supportive base on which the foundation of the future education of an individual and any nation is laid. Unfortunately, this level of education in Nigeria has persistently failed to attract the desired concern as it was lossed from one agency to the other in search of an effective manager and financer. In all situations, it is being seriously starved of effective management and necessary funds in the process. This study, therefore, sought to identify appropriate groups, individuals, private and government that would be capable of funding and managing public primary education better in Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought the public perception on how public primary education would be funded and managed better and by who. Primary school teachers, headmasters and PTA members were used as respondents. A survey research design was adopted for the study and the area of the study comprised of Benue and Nassarawa States. Chi-square (X2) was used to test the choice between the three tiers, individuals and private organizations that would fund and manage primary education best. The result of the study revealed that the participation of individuals, private and the three tiers of government was found to be the best option for funding and managing the public primary education in Nigeria. Based on the result, it was recommended that government should allow the joint efforts of individuals, organizations, local, state and Federal governments in funding, managing, supervising and controlling primary education to ensure quality and stability in this sub-sector of our education