Adamu Adamu, Nigeria’s minister of education, has said he didn’t approve an increase in school fees for federal government colleges in the country.
While speaking with members of the Nigerian press on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at the inauguration and dissemination of the National Quality Assurance Handbook for Secondary Education in Nigeria, the minister expressed surprise at the agitation by parents of teachers of unity schools.
The National Parents and Teachers Association of Federal Government Colleges recently called on the federal government to reverse the increase of school fees for the federal secondary schools from N20, 000 to N75, 000. According to the president of the association, the fee increase took effect from June, 2016.
But in a surprise reaction, Mr. Adamu, said he is not aware that fees have been increased in unity schools.
”I am not aware that the school fees of unity schools have been increased. I am the Minister of Education and I am not aware,” the education minister told journalists.
However, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Folashade Yemi-Esan, acknowledged there was an increase in school fees in the schools. But she denied it was a much as 300%. The fees were actually increased by 275%, The Trent reported on Tuesday.
”Yes, the school fees of federal government colleges have been increased but not 300 per cent as claimed,” Ms. Yemi-Esan said.
”You are aware of the realities in the country; it is important for the colleges to be able to maintain the students that are there and you must also be aware that these schools are tuition free.
”So, what has been increased is the boarding fees; I do not have the figures but it is not N75, 000.
”It is a list and when you check the breakdown, it is not up to 30 per cent.”
Meanwhile, NAN obtained a Federal Government College, Rubochi, FCT document, indicating that the boarding fee was increased from N8,000 to N15,000.
