A group of parents and guardians have voiced concern about the sudden and substantial rise in school fees across both public and private schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday, these parents cited the abruptness of the fee hike, particularly given the current economic climate.
They remarked that this fee increase is occurring during a period when people are already grappling with economic difficulties due to the removal of fuel subsidies, which has had an impact on the overall cost of living.
They said the situation had forced parents and guardians to resort to borrowing in the form of bank loans and other sources to be able to send their wards back to school.
Mr Victor Okoye, a civil servant and father of four, said he paid N150,000 for school fees per child, totaling N600,000.
“But now the amount is doubled and currently I am to pay N300,000 per child, that is a total of N1.3 million for my four children.
“The only way I will be able to meet up with the new fee increment is to borrow from my bank or any other source,” he said.
Mrs Abiemwese Moru, a civil servant and a mother of two, said the situation was unbearable and challenging.
She, therefore, called on the government at all levels to increase the salaries of workers to enable them to take care of their families.
Mr Maharazu Ahmed, another civil servant, suggested that given the current economic challenges government should subsidise tuition fees by setting a benchmark on what should be paid as school fees.
“This standard will enable the government to monitor the price of school fees and avoid rapid hikes in school fees to enable the poor to access education.
“The education loan scheme of the Federal Government should be allowed to kick start so that students in secondary and tertiary institutions can access it, ” he said.
Ahmed added that parents should learn how to budget ahead and plan well to meet up with the current situation because education is a necessity for children.
“Parents are expected to make sacrifices for their families to meet up with the cost of school fees.
“They can pay bit by bit before the term elapses, with that, they can meet up with the amount required as school fees,” he said.
Mr. John Amebo, a parent, offered advice, suggesting that parents should reduce their spending. He also emphasized the importance of enrolling children in schools within their budget to prevent unnecessary debts. (NAN)
