The recent hike in petrol prices has taken a toll on Nigerian parents as schools resume for the new academic session. Many are struggling to cope with the escalating costs of education, from transportation to school supplies and tuition.
In Lagos, parents like Mrs. Adebayo are feeling the pinch. “I used to spend about ₦20,000 monthly on fuel to take my children to school. Now, I’m spending close to ₦60,000,” she lamented.
Public transportation fares have also tripled in major cities, affecting parents like Mr. David in Abuja. “The daily commuting to drop my kids off at school now costs me ₦1,500, compared to ₦500 just last year. My salary hasn’t changed, but everything else has gone up.”
Private schools have implemented steep fee hikes to compensate for increased operational costs, leaving parents like Mrs. Adeyemi wondering how to make ends meet. “The fees went up by almost 70%, and they didn’t even warn us ahead of time.”
Public schools are facing challenges too, with crowded classrooms, lack of basic facilities, and teacher shortages affecting the quality of education.
The price increases have not been limited to school fees and transportation alone. Parents are struggling to afford school supplies, with importers citing fuel prices as the reason for the sharp rise in prices.
To cope, parents are forming carpooling groups, bulk-purchasing school supplies, and lobbying schools for flexible payment plans.
The Nigerian government has implemented palliative measures, including cash transfers, but many parents feel these efforts are inadequate.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has promised to engage with stakeholders to find ways to ease the burden on parents.
As the new session begins, parents across Nigeria are bracing for more financial challenges ahead. With no clear end in sight to the fuel price hike and inflation crisis, many are uncertain about how they will continue to afford their children’s education.
The future of Nigeria’s children, and by extension the nation itself, hinges on how well the country can navigate this challenging period.
Key Statistics:
– 297,179 students have registered for the student loan scheme
– 27,667 students have been paid
– ₦2,946,927,155 has been disbursed to students and institutions
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