Pupils of Igbesamwan Primary School in Benin City, Edo State, playing in the field while anticipating resumption of academic activities by striking teachers.
One week into the new school term, Nigerian parents are sharing mixed experiences about their children’s return to the classroom.
For some parents, the period of the holiday did not change anything for them since they live from-hand-to-mouth in order to save for their children’s school fees.
Across the country, there are different cadre of fees depending on where the school is located and the people that patronize it.
Today, the tuition ranges from N10,000 to N100,000 per term in some schools; N100,000 to N500,000 per term; from N500,000 t0 N1million; and from N1million to N2million per term.
While some parents express concerns over rising school fees, inadequate facilities, and lingering logistical challenges, some others strategically planned their execution of the fees payment to reduce stress.
In their contrasting narratives, some parents said they paid their children’s school fees weeks before the resumption, some others said they paid part of the fees, while some revealed that they pleaded with school authorities for more time.
These divergent stories reflect the uneven realities of Nigeria’s education system, where the quality of schooling often varies sharply across regions, school types, and income levels.
Read also: Headache ahead: School resumption in weeks piles pressure on parents
Patricia Ekene, a mother of two at Isheri Oshun suburb of Lagos said her son’s school fees was increased with over 100 percent hike.
“My son is now in senior school one (SS1) and the fees is N210,000, we paid N75,000 as school fees, though we had some other fees such as junior WAEC and extra tutorial fess,” she explained.
Olukayode Olusola, a civil servant, decried the fact that his child’s school demanded for payment as early as August 21, which left him and the entire family in disarray.
“My daughter was promoted to junior secondary school two (JSS2) and while we were celebrating, the school sent us a message to ensure that the fees was paid on or before August 21.
“Worst still, they increased the fees, though the hike percentage was a bit fair, the immediate demand for payment was destabilising,” he said.
Olusola explained that as a salary earner, he had to resolve to paying by installments, but that even at that, he borrowed to ensure he met up with the date.
“In fact, when I thought I had completely gathered the money, my wife called my attention to some other concomitant lists and that nearly drove me crazy; and I resolved to borrowing in order to beat the date. It’s not easy!” he chuckled.
Chima Nwosu, a parent in Okota suburb of Lagos State, narrating his ordeal said: “It is not fun at all. My children’s school had informed me about the school fees hike as at the time they were winding down last session.
“Having list of books, I went to bookstores only to find out that the price of books was so high. Every dealer is giving the same reason being that the cost of goods from supply point has gone up by over 50 percent. It is really tough for parents/guardians in this country.”
For Mercy Ekpeyong, a public servant, the pressure is much, hence, she opted to enter into an arrangement with the school management over the school fees payment.
“I liaised with the school management on a payment plan that I can comfortably pay in order to reduce the pressure on me. As a result of that, I’m not much under pressure over school fees payment; my blood pressure is no longer high,” she said.
Ekpeyong further revealed that she had to withdraw her children from using the school bus, though it was a tough decision for her to make because of the stress of taking the children to school daily.
However, she said the family had no better choice than to adjust to make ends meet as the bus fare was also increased and her salary is still the same.
“The school bus fare is now N75,000, that means for my two children, I will have to cough out N150,000, school fees and cost of books and there is also uniform to be paid for.
“I opted out of the bus service because I can’t afford that; I would rather take them to school every morning, good enough, they’re in the same school,” she said.
Abiola Oguns, a parent at Igando area of Lagos State confirmed the harsh realities of the school fees hike when he said that his child’s fee was increased by 70 percent.
“My daughter in JSS 3 has her school fees increased to N110,000 as against N65,000 last year (69.23 percent) increase,” he said.
Besides, he said the school is demanding the three terms’ fees be paid at once including WAEC registration fee, amounting to almost N400,000.
He lamented the increment, which he said is disturbing. “As a parent, this year’s school fee is excruciating,” he lamented.
For Friday Okonkwo, a businessman in Zaria, Kaduna State, the school resumption posed no threat to him as the school fee remains N15,000 for primary five, and N25,000 for SS2.
Michael Ibeneme, in Enugu decried the hike, when he said, “My child just got admission into Command School, Enugu, and they are asking for more than N200,000 for JSS1.”
This is frustrating, and the government is not helping matters, the salary cannot take one home, not to talk of increased school fees.
Charles Ogwo
Charles Ogwo, Head, Education Desk at BusinessDay Media is a seasoned proactive journalist with over a decade of reportage experience.
