The National Policy on Education (2013) describes education as an instrument for national development and social change. Teachers are very important in implementing quality education that can bring about national development. However, no education can rise beyond the quality of its teachers. Pre-service teachers are produced by colleges and faculties of education in Nigeria. Hence, the quality of teachers in the education system is largely dependent on the quality of their preparation. This study investigated school managers' perception of teachers' preparation for basic education. The study found no significant difference between the perception of urban, semi-urban and rural school mangers on admission process, curricula issues, educational facilities and teaching/learning process. It was recommended that Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores for education courses be as high as other courses to ensure that quality students are admitted with scholarships and other incentives being offered to encourage them. Furthermore, teacher educators need refresher courses on modern methodologies of teaching to enhance their teaching skills to produce quality teachers that are fit for 21st century education.