Education Law and Equity: Managing the Challenges Between Legal Mandates and Practical Implementation of School Policies in Nigerian School Systems.

Abstract

This study examines the intersection of education law and inclusive school systems in Nigeria, focusing on the gap between legal mandates and practical implementation. Drawing on policy analysis of national legal frameworks, including the Child Rights Act (2003), the Disability Act (2018), and the National Policy on Education (2013), the study identifies key challenges confronting educational managers. The findings reveal that while education law provides a foundation for an inclusive school system, implementation is undermined by resource constraints, policy fragmentation, limited legal literacy among school leaders, cultural barriers, and weak monitoring systems. The study concludes that effective educational management, characterized by law-conscious leadership, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement, is the critical bridge between legal mandates and operational reality. Recommendations include enhancing legal literacy training for school managers, harmonizing conflicting policies, allocating adequate resources, and establishing robust accountability mechanisms to translate legal provisions into equitable and inclusive schooling outcomes.