ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigeria Parents Forum, NPF, has raised alarms over the purported non-compliance of the Federal Ministry of Education and Principals of Unity Schools with President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly’s directive to cut student fees nationwide.
Recently, in collaboration with the principals of unity schools, the Federal Ministry of Education increased student fees in Unity Schools by a staggering 100%.
Effective from September, the fees, originally pegged at N30,000, have been raised to rates ranging between N80,000 and N100,000.
This hike sparked public outrage as many parents and guardians, grappling with the current economic challenges intensified by the Federal Government’s petroleum subsidy policy, called for a reversion to the old fee structure.
Responding to the public outcry, both the National Assembly and President Tinubu called for the rollback of the increased fees.
Hon. Nkemkanma Kama, representing the Ohaozara, Onicha, and Ivo federal constituency, championed the motion.
However, the Nigeria Parents Forum has pointed out that the ministry and Unity School Principals appear to be flouting these directives.
Engr. Lukman Saluhdeen, the NPF spokesperson, stated that newsletters issued to students, who were on vacation as of August 4th, 2023, are still demanding the elevated school fees.
This is despite the directive’s announcement made by the presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, on July 31st.
Saluhdeen declared, “This act of non-compliance is not only an affront to the presidency but also to the National Assembly. President Bola Tinubu must ensure that the Federal Ministry of Education abides by the directives to prevent a precedent for bureaucratic anarchy.”
Furthermore, the NPF is urging the President to consider special economic measures to support Nigerian parents who aren’t civil servants.
Such assistance would aid them in financing their children’s education and combat the looming risk of an extensive school dropout crisis, exacerbated by the recent removal of fuel subsidy.
