Why is free primary education not a free good?

Free primary education is not a free good because it involves substantial costs for governments, which must fund infrastructure, teacher salaries, materials, and maintenance. These costs are ultimately borne by taxpayers, who finance the system through public revenue. Additionally, while the education itself may be offered at no direct charge to families, there can be indirect costs, such as transportation and opportunity costs related to children’s time. Therefore, while access may be provided without tuition fees, the economic implications of providing this service are significant.