In this piece, TOPE SUNDAY takes a look at how parents and guardians are struggling to fulfill their obligations as schools resume in the face of the hike in school fees and the general economic hardships.
As Nigerians grapple with economic hardships, schools are cautiously re-opening their doors amid various challenges. However, the issue of fees’ hike and economic hardships has added a layer of concern for both parents and students. Across the country, both students of primary and secondary schools have resumed for the second term even as those in private schools are required to pay school fees.
Investigations by Blueprint Weekend revealed that for the second term, there is usually no hike in school fees because the first term had reflected the hike. The current term fees are lesser than the first term’s, but they may be higher than what was paid in the previous year.
Some factors have significantly affected the financial stability of many families, making fees’ hike an even more daunting obstacle. The abrupt shift to virtual learning during the lockdowns, and the effect of the subsidy removal have amplified concerns about the quality of education and have forced some institutions to increase fees to cover additional costs.
This reporter gathered that some families are still struggling to make ends meet due to the economic downturn. This development has left many families facing severe financial hardships. To this end, household expenses have created a challenging situation for parents, who now prioritise their limited resources. Despite this ugly situation, some of them are still committed to the education of their children.
Parents’ concerns
For a laundry man at Jahi 2 in Jahi district, Abuja, Mr. Eze Kingley, the resumption of schools is a burden to him. He said the reason he could not send his wife and children down to the South-east during the yuletide was as a result of the transport fare. According to him, from Abuja to Owerri was N32, 000, while from his wife’s village cost about N10, 000 during the recent festivities.
Speaking with Blueprint Weekend, he decried the nation’s economic situation and wondered how he would raise N60, 000 as school fees for his two children who are in a private school.
He said: “I am a father of two and during the last festivities, my children and my wife were unable to travel down to the East because I couldn’t afford transportation fare. At that time, the transport fare to Owerri from Abuja was N32, 000. So, by my calculation to and from to the East would have gulped about N100, 000 if I included the interstate transport fares to it. I could not do that because of the economy.
“My wife and my children stayed back in Abuja to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with me which was not what we were used to. Since I married my wife, we have been all celebrating the yuletide in my village, but the current
economic situation did not permit me to visit my village last year, and I did not have the financial capacity to also send my family to the village for the festivities.
“Now that the schools have resumed for the second term, it is a nightmare to me because how do I raise N60, 000 as school fees for my two children in January? This is a great concern to me.”
Also, a resident of Mpape Community, Pascal Nathaniel, said 2023 was not too good for him economically, and lamented that the ripple effects of last year are responsible for his inability to raise the school fees of three children who are in both secondary and primary schools respectively.
“The year 2023 was a year I will never forget because it took a negative toll on my business, though I thank God that I survived it. Now as school resumed for the second term, my concern is how to pay their school fees.
“I have three children; one is in secondary school while the rest two are still in primary school. Before the current economic hardship, I used to settle their school fees early before resumption, but I couldn’t do that this time. I am trusting the ultimate provider (God) to provide for my needs,” he said.
Another Abuja parent, Yusuf Olagunju, said although he was prepared to pay his children’s school fees early enough, the increment of an additional N10, 000 had scuttled his plans, adding that last term (first term) he paid N25, 000 each for his children who are still in primary school.
Olagunju queried the rationale behind the hike in the school fees to N30, 000 each in the second term. According to him, the current school fees of his children are in sharp contrast to what he used to pay in the second term.
He said, “I’ve always prepared to pay my children’s school fees on the schools’ resumption day, but to my dismay, the current school fees of their school are in contrast from what I used to pay particularly the fees I paid in the first term because I paid N25, 000 each as their school fees.
“The second term which should be lesser is now N30, 000 each for them, making it N60, 000 that I would not cough out. It is with an increment of N5, 000 each. What is the rationale behind this? The school told me that they would be going on an excursion. Previously, excursion trips were not mandatory. This development has slowed down my initial plans to pay my children’s school fees in time.
“The rationale behind the compulsory excursion is not satisfactory, and I am not at home with it, but since I am not the only parent whose children are affected, I will pay the prescribed school fee for the 2nd Term but may be in installment.”
For his part, Mr. Michael Shobowale, a resident of Ushafa in Bwari area council, FCT, said he has about N150, 000 to pay as school fees for his four children; one of whom is a student of Government Secondary School, Ushafa.
The development, he said, compelled him to cut down other unbudgeted expenses, adding that pending the time he would offset all the school fees his spending would be on scale of preference.
He said: “This is second term and I have not noticed any hike in the school fees based on what presented to me. Despite the economic downturn, I have about N150, 000 to pay as school fees for my four children, one of them a student of the Government Day Secondary School, Ushafa. I have resolved to cut down my expenses and would be spending on a scale of preference pending the time that I will pay up their school fees”
Fee regulation
Speaking on the development, a public affairs analyst, Comrade Sunday Alifia, said the federal government should consider imposing regulations on fee increases, ensuring that educational institutions are mindful of the financial stress faced by families.
He said: “The strain caused by fee hikes and economic distress can detrimentally affect the quality of education. Institutions find themselves in a precarious position, struggling to maintain teachers’ salaries, invest in technological infrastructure, and deliver quality education amidst budget constraints. This, in turn, can exacerbate existing inequalities, allowing only those with financial stability to receive a decent education.
“In the light of these challenges, it becomes imperative for governments and educational authorities to step in and address the deepening crisis. It is crucial to consider imposing regulations on fee increases, ensuring that educational institutions are mindful of the financial stress faced by families. Additionally, providing financial aid and scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds is necessary to restore equal access to education.
“While the responsibility of remedying these issues falls on educational authorities, community support can play a pivotal role. By organising donation drives, seeking corporate sponsorships, and creating mentoring programmes, communities can come together to help struggling families afford education for their children. Collaborations between schools, non-profit organisations, and local businesses can help bridge the funding gaps and ensure that no deserving student is left behind.”
