By Zainab Akintunde, with agency report
The prevailing economic downturn, arising from removing subsidies and floating the naira, has triggered hyperinflation, affecting every sector of the economy, including private schools.
As the academic session commences, the hike in school fees is causing serious pain to parents whose children are in private schools nationwide.
Some parents who spoke with ThisNigeria expressed their dilemma about raising money to pay their children’s school fees.
Mr Olayiwola Saka lamented that he had to withdraw his children from the private school they were attending to a public school close to their home as the new session commenced because he could not afford the exorbitant transport fares.
“We are struggling to survive as a family. The inflationary trend has dealt a terrible blow to our finances. We cannot afford the increase in the school fees anymore. More so, the sudden increase in the transport fares has further compounded our problems. So, the only option is to change their schools to a nearby school,” he disclosed.
A trader, Mrs Oladapo Suliyah, said she had to take personal loans to pay her children’s school fees.
“The only option for me and my husband is to go for soft loans so our children could return to school. The economic crunch is having telling effects on the family finances.”
*Seek loans, help from religious bodies to pay fees
According to Mrs Aminat Adebayo, “l went to churches and mosques within our vicinity, which offered financial assistance before my children could return to school during this new session. The situation is very tough financially with my family.”
As for Mr Lukuman Idowu, he needed to approach the school management for negotiation to pay by instalment.
“I am happy when the school authority agreed to my payment terms,” he said.
Mrs Akinwunmi Azeezat, a single parent, revealed she sought a loan for her son to return to school this session, believing God for provision to pay back before the end of the term.
“I have to take a loan for my child and seek help from family members and friends,” she revealed.
Meanwhile, some residents of Bauchi have decried upward review of school fees by private school proprietors as pupils resumed for the 2024/2025 academic year.
The hike in school fees has forced many parents in the area to keep their wards out of school as they cannot afford the exorbitant fees.
*Take wards to public schools as alternative
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many private schools have increased registration fees for the new intake and returning students by about 40 percent compared to the 2023/2024 session.
A cross-section of the parents, who spoke in a separate interview with NAN in Bauchi, described the situation as “worrisome.”
Mr Paul Isiah, a parent, said the increase in the school fees was discouraging and exposed them to difficulties.
Isiah said the schools increased their fees amid the rising cost of living and transportation, which was occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies in the country.
He said the school fees went up to N67,000 against N47,000 in the last academic session.
“I have four children, all attending private schools, and there is a significant increase in their school fees. Private school proprietors have a way of extorting money from parents through textbooks and other unnecessary charge,” he said.
Isiah said that most parents prefer private schools due to public schools’ lack of standards and quality education.
He called for practical measures to reinvigorate the basic education sector and encourage parents to enrol their children in public schools.
Another parent, Mr Ahmed Mohammed, said he contemplated transferring his children from private to public school as he couldn’t afford the fees.
Mohammed said the school fees jumped to N25,000 per pupil against N15,000, adding, “My salary remained the same while the cost of commodities, including school fees, is going through the roof.”
Corroborating earlier opinions, Mr Adeyemi said yesterday that most parents who are struggling to give their children a modest education are now unable to pay school fees.
He, however, said the school proprietors should not be blamed for the hike in fees, given the high cost of teaching and learning materials, which enables them to deliver quality education.
“Previously, I paid N40,000 and N30,000 in school fees for two of my children. Now, I have to pay N55,000 and N45,000, respectively.
“Let the government make public schools good to serve as alternatives to such parents who can no longer afford the fees in private schools,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Sikiru Raji said that he couldn’t afford the school fees due to the inflationary trend and the lack of wage rise.
“I paid N90,000 in school fees for my child, and now it has been increased to N135,000,” he said.
Olubunmi Adetoye, a teacher in a private school, said the country’s persistent inflation necessitated the hike in fees.
She said that educational materials and transportation prices had increased, while the proprietors increased the salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff due to the country’s economic realities.
“With all this, the increase in fees in private schools could be justified,” he said.
An official of the Private Schools Proprietors Association pleaded anonymity and said the development was necessary due to the rise in wage bills and the cost of maintaining the schools.
The official attributed the fee hike to the high cost of teaching aids and materials, adding, “I’m in the system. I know how it feels. I know how difficult it is to maintain a school. I know many schools are crashing because of the country’s economic situation.
The official advised parents to enrol their children in schools they could afford, adding that “it is not how expensive the school will determine how successful their children will be in life.”
Reacting, Dr Jemila Dahiru, the Bauchi Commissioner for Education, said that primary education is free in the state.
She said the ministry would investigate the state’s alleged increase in school fees by some private school proprietors.
“The private schools’ unit under the Ministry of Education is going through these complaints, and I assure you that we will check whether these were done legitimately, and if not, we’ll take action against such schools.
