ANALYSIS OF COST IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABIA STATE: A QUANTIFICATION APPROACH

Abstract

The study analysis of cost in public secondary schools in Abia State: a quantification analysis 
adopted a descriptive survey design with total population of 4568. This comprises of 303 
teachers and 4265 students’ from 12 public secondary schools in the three education zones in 
Abia State. The sample size for this study is 600 subjects which was selected through quota 
sampling technique. This comprising 155 teachers’ and 445 SS3 students. Two research 
questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The instrument for data collection is as 
documentary data such there were no need for validation and reliability test for the study. The 
researcher collected the required data for this study from the accounts department, exams and 
record department and personnel administration department of Secondary Education 
Management Board, Umuahia. Only the documentary information collected by the researcher 
stood the bases for the analysis of the study. Data generated for this study were analyzed using 
quantification analysis, mean and standard deviation, percentage and graph to answer the 
research questions that guided the study. The study in its findings revealed that least average 
cost incurred by government in public secondary school in umuahia education zone for 
providing classroom per student is N2, 053.33k while the highest cost incurred by government 
in providing classroom per student is N18, 333.33k per session with 1.9% and 22.1% 
respectively. Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations were made 
among others; that Government at all levels should increase subventions and budgets made in 
educational sector so as to meet with UNESCO 26% budget recommendation. This will help 
reduce cost and encourage access to quality education by all citizens irrespective of their socio-economic status.