Parents of wards in Unity Secondary Schools in Nigeria are facing tough times following Federal Government’s increment of school fees.
By the new arrangement, the parents would pay ₦100,000 per student as tuition fee following the decision of President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to increase such fees.
Tinubu administration had, on May 29, withdrawn fuel subsidy and raised the price now to N617 a litre, thus exposing many Nigerians to untold economic hardships.
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This directive came in a circular from the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, addressed to Principals of Federal Unity Colleges across the country.
‘‘Approved fees/charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students. New students are expected to part with ₦100,000 instead of the previous N45,000,” the circular read in part.
“The latest fees/charge increment will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniform, text books, deposit, exercise books, prospectus, caution fee, ID card, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lesson, insurance, et al.
“Please be informed that the ministry has approved only the under listed fees and charges for all Unity Colleges,” the memo read.
Meanwhile, parents under the aegis of Nigerian Parents Forum had in June 2023, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Education to reverse the over 100% increment on fees paid by students in Federal Government Colleges or Unity schools.
The group described the increment as arbitrary, insensitive, ill-timed and inconsistent with President Tinubu’s promise of welfare programmes to help Nigerian parents cope with the economic challenges posed by fuel subsidy removal in the country.
Similarly, the House of Representatives had earlier in July directed the Federal Ministry of Education to review the new school fees regime in Federal Government Colleges and revert to the old regime.
