Effect of Government Policy on Private School Growth in Abuja Municipal Area Council

This study investigates the effect of government educational policies on the growth of private schools in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, North Central Nigeria. Private schooling has expanded rapidly in the Federal Capital Territory, driven by growing demand for quality education and perceived inadequacies in the public school system. Government policies related to regulation, accreditation, land allocation, and tax incentives exert significant influence over the establishment and sustainability of private school ventures. The study employs a descriptive survey design and samples 300 private school proprietors, administrators, and government education officials from Abuja Municipal Area Council. Data are collected using structured questionnaires and documentary analysis of regulatory instruments, and analysed with mean scores and regression analysis. The study draws on the Public Policy Framework of Anderson. Findings indicate that regulatory policies are perceived by private school operators as inconsistently enforced, creating uncertainty in the sector. Land acquisition challenges and taxation policies are identified as significant barriers to private school investment. Conversely, periods of regulatory clarity and government partnership programmes are associated with higher rates of private school establishment and improvement. The study recommends the development of a comprehensive private school regulatory framework for the FCT that balances quality standards with enabling conditions for private investment. Keywords: government policy, private school growth, educational regulation, FCT Abuja, school management.