Education no Longer Affordable-Parents Cry Out as Prices of Textbooks, Pencils, Others Soar
Source:https://franktalknow.com/
As schools reopened for the new term on Monday, Nigerian parents are grappling with severe financial strain due to rising costs. The increase in tuition, transportation, educational materials, and essential goods, compounded by higher petrol prices and overall living expenses, is putting many families under significant stress.
The Edo and Kano State Governments have postponed the resumption dates for primary and secondary schools. Edo State cited the recent rise in petrol prices and subsequent transportation costs as the reason, stating it can’t afford the increased expense of student transportation. Kano State cited “urgent reasons” for the delay but did not provide specific details.
The suspension of school resumption affects thousands of students in Edo and Kano States, who were supposed to return on September 9. Parents and students are awaiting updates on new dates, with Edo State promising an announcement soon, while Kano State has not disclosed any plans. Meanwhile, students in Lagos are ready for the new academic session, though some parents are distressed by rising prices and transportation costs. Observations from FTN show that schools in Lagos neighborhoods, including Alimosho, Iyana-Ipaja, and Egbeda, are preparing for the new term.
Private schools like Veracity Model College in Alaguntan saw about 30% of their student population attend, while public schools such as State High School and Government College experienced very low turnout. Parents expressed frustration over the high costs of education materials and transportation, urging the federal government to intervene. Mrs. Akinade complained about skyrocketing prices for textbooks, notebooks, and a 50% increase in school bus fares. Similarly, Mrs. Alade was shocked by the rising costs of school supplies, noting that even basic items like pencils and pens have become extremely expensive.
Mr. Bola, a businessman, expressed his struggle to afford essential education materials for his children, having to choose between buying textbooks and funding extracurricular activities. Mr. Sikiru from Iyana Ipaja highlighted the overall financial strain on parents, mentioning high costs for uniforms, shoes, food, and transportation. The increasing cost of fuel exacerbates the problem. Parents, including Mrs. Akinade, are appealing to the federal government to make education more affordable and alleviate their financial burden.
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