Public Education Financing and Human Resource Development in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined human resource development and the financing of public education in Kwara State. Specifically, it investigated the level of public education financing and budgetary allocation to education between 2020 and 2022, the challenges confronting education financing, and the relationship between public education financing and human resource development. In line with these objectives, relevant literature was reviewed. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using a researcher-designed instrument titled Public Education Financing and Human Resource Development Questionnaire (PEFHRQ). After validation, the instrument recorded a reliability coefficient of 0.79, confirming its suitability for use. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were employed in analyzing the data. The findings revealed that public education financing in Kwara State from 2020 to 2022 was modest. The major challenges identified included inadequate funding, overdependence on unpredictable federal allocations, rising operational costs, and the absence of viable alternative sources of revenue. Furthermore, the study established a strong positive correlation between human resource development and public education financing. Based on these findings, it was concluded that increasing budgetary allocation to education is imperative for addressing funding shortfalls. The study therefore recommends that the Kwara State government expand financial support for education in order to enhance the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers, strengthen material resource provision, and ultimately improve the overall effectiveness of public schools.