EXPANSION OF PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO ADVANCEMENT OF NIGERIAS' EDUCATION SECTOR

1.1 Background of the Study Education involves the continuous reshaping of experience, aligning with Plato’s earlier view that education serves as a primary channel for transmitting knowledge, ideas, and preserving societal values. It is the mechanism by which individuals in any society are equipped with knowledge, skills, abilities, and moral character necessary for effective and meaningful participation in social life, and for contributing productively to societal development (Oguntimehi, 2018). Shaidu (2020) conceptualizes education as a structured system through which a society prepares its members for responsible citizenship, empathetic attitudes, and critical reasoning. This preparation occurs within the context of organized society and is guided by a formal curriculum and supportive services. From this perspective, education is a systemic process requiring specific resource inputs, internally directed activities, and expected outputs. The origin of Western education in Nigeria can be traced to the efforts of private entities. According to Adelouro (2022), Western-style education first made its appearance along Nigeria’s southern coast when Portuguese traders, who had established commercial posts in Lagos, Benin, and Brass, invited their Catholic mission to establish schools. These schools were intended for the sons of local rulers—Obas, chiefs, and influential persons—and were located within the royal palaces of these towns. However, this early attempt to introduce Western education between 1515 and 1552 was unsuccessful in expanding into the country’s interior due to frequent inter-ethnic wars and the transatlantic slave trade. It is worth noting that, following the official spread of Western education in 1842 and the establishment of primary schools by Christian missionaries, a small but growing class of educated Nigerians began advocating for the establishment of secondary schools. Their primary motivation was to ensure their children had access to post-primary education that could prepare them for mid-level civil service positions and provide a pathway into higher education institutions, leading to professional careers such as medicine, law, and engineering. Ultimately, this would position them for leadership roles within society (Adelouro, 2022). Private institutions have become increasingly involved in the education sector, particularly in developing countries where public systems often struggle with underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and teacher shortages. These institutions are typically established and managed by individuals, religious organizations, corporate bodies, or non-governmental entities with the aim of delivering formal education services at various levels—from pre-primary to tertiary. Unlike public institutions, which are state-funded, private schools usually rely on tuition fees and private investments for their operations. This autonomy allows for more flexibility in curriculum development, school governance, and infrastructural development, thereby fostering innovation and responsiveness to educational needs (UNESCO, 2022). In Nigeria, for instance, the proliferation of private institutions has helped address the significant gaps left by the public sector, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where public schools are often overcrowded or poorly equipped (Adebayo & Oduguwa, 2021). Moreover, private institutions often boast smaller class sizes, better student-teacher ratios, and enhanced learning environments, contributing to improved learning outcomes. In terms of contribution, private educational institutions have played a crucial role in expanding access to quality education, diversifying learning opportunities, and raising academic standards. According to Adeyemi and Adewale (2020), the involvement of private actors in education has stimulated healthy competition that encourages both public and private schools to improve performance. Many private schools introduce ICT-based teaching, international curricula, and advanced learning tools that are not readily available in public schools. In the higher education sector, private universities have contributed significantly to reducing admission pressures on public universities by increasing enrolment capacities and promoting academic diversity (Nwankwo & Okoro, 2023). Furthermore, they have served as hubs for research, entrepreneurship training, and skills development, thereby aligning education with national development goals. However, challenges such as affordability, regulatory oversight, and social equity remain. Despite this, the private sector’s role in education is indispensable, especially in countries where public systems require complementary support to meet global education targets. Given this background, the current study seeks to explore the expansion of private schools and their contributions to the development of the educational sector. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Education is widely recognized as a tool that empowers individuals with the knowledge and competencies needed for social, economic, and political advancement. However, it is also influenced by various socio-economic factors such as household income, parental education levels, ethnicity, and gender—all of which affect access to quality education and the potential for education to uplift living standards. Private schools, also referred to as independent or non-state schools, operate without direct control from local, state, or federal governments (Gbamanja, 2019). These institutions possess the autonomy to recruit qualified educators, particularly in specialized areas like the sciences, thereby ensuring that students receive effective and high-quality instruction. Unlike public schools that rely on government funding through taxation, private schools are funded primarily through tuition fees. Some private institutions, however, offer scholarships to offset these costs, depending on students' talents or achievements in academics, sports, the arts, or other areas (Nwagu, 2017). Tuition in private schools is typically higher than in public schools, making affordability a significant consideration. Against this backdrop, the present study aims to examine the growth of private schools and their contributions toward the advancement of education in Nigeria. 1.1 Purpose Of The Study The general purpose of the study is to examine The Expansion of Private Educational Institutions and Their Contribution to the Advancement of the Education Sector. The, specific objective is as follows i. To find out whether there is an effect of development on education in Nigeria. ii. To examine the challenges impeding on private schools in Nigeria. iii. To find out the benefit of development on education in Nigeria. iv. To recommend ways of improving the growth private schools in other for the development of education. 1.2 Research Questions The following questions have been prepared for the study i. Is there an effect of development on education in Nigeria? ii. What are the challenges impeding on private schools in Nigeria? iii. What are the benefit of development on education in Nigeria? iv. What are the ways of improving the growth of private schools in other for the development of education? 1.3 Hypothesis The following hypothesis have been formulated for the study: H0: Development does not have an effect on education in Nigeria HA: Development does have an effect on education in Nigeria 1.4 Scope And Delimitation Of The Study The study will find out whether there is an effect of development on education in Nigeria. The study will also examine the challenges impeding on private schools in Nigeria. The study will further find out the benefit of development on education in Nigeria. Lastly, the study will recommend ways of improving the growth private schools in other for the development of education. However, Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced. 1.5 Significance Of The Study This study will be significant to the ministry of education as it will expose the challenges of education in Nigeria especially, the private school sector. The study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature. 1.6 Operational Definition Of Terms Growth: the process of increasing in size. Private school: an independent school supported wholly by the payment of fees Development: the process of developing or being developed. Education: the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.