According to a retailer, he said, across markets and stores in the country, a pack of 60 leaves exercise has increased in price from N1,700 to between N2000 and N2200; 12 pieces of pencils are now N250 from N150 previous price; a pack of biro is now N1,450, previously N1,100.A school shoe purchased for N2,800 a month ago, is now priced between N3,500 and N4,000; a pair of stockings worth between N1,200 and N1,500 previously are now sold N1,900.
Mrs Katrina Nwachukwu based in Abule-Egba, Lagos and has three children in private basic and secondary schools, said it was a precarious situation for her family as they have had to adjust and look for a way to increase the family income as they had to dip into their savings to cater for the children’s needs.
As parents grapple with the needs of their children in the new academic year with school fees at the centre of expenses, educationists have urged parents to prioritise the order of their children’s needs, as this period is of importance in the life of their wards. Mrs. Rachel Nzeh noted that parents are going through a lot already with the provision of basic needs on the home front.
“Early to bed will make arising early easier. They should be heading to school refreshed early in the morning not knackered as it can impact negatively on them to concentrate on what is being taught”