Hike in fees: Fresh worry over dropouts, out-of-school children | The Guardian Nigeria News

While many are already considering the option of enrolling their wards in public schools, others will be adding to the out-of-school group, Iyabo Lawal writes.

Affected mostly are schools running a boarding system with the challenges of high cost of food items, transportation and other utilities that have eaten deep into the gains they made initially. Though most private schools, particularly the high flying ones, are yet to make an official announcement of the increase, indications are rife that such an increase is imminent and would be announced before schools resume for the new school year in September.

“To this end, there would be an average increase on school fees for the next academic year, while we presently continue to subsidise the impact of the economic landscape on our fees, we are charting a strategic course to remain sustainable and will continue to optimise our operations on the premise of innovation, quality holistic education and academic excellence.

The Proprietor of Kiddies Touch Schools, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Mr Tobias Eze, while lamenting the current running cost, hinted that a 200 per cent increase would be made in order for the school to deliver. “We have to buy uniforms and books from the school; it is sad because they don’t allow parents to go to the market and buy uniforms.”

Kelvin James, a Lagos-based businessman, lamented that tuition takes the highest portion of parents’ annual income, and has reduced the standard of living for households. “My son’s school has increased the school fees by over 85 per cent. I have decided to withdraw my son from the school because I cannot cope.”

Mrs Tope Osho, who teaches in a private school in Igando, Lagos State, said she is looking for another job. Otubela appealed to the government to acknowledge private schools’ critical role in the country’s education ecosystem and engage with stakeholders to address the challenges they face. Proprietor of Little Angels in Ojota area of Lagos, Ms Nwanneka Ugorji, said given the current economic situation, they have to increase the fees to render effective service.

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