The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools has expressed worry over the random withdrawal of students by parents who find it hard to pay tuition due to the nation’s economic crisis.
Nigeria has been plagued with hyperinflation and hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, floating of the naira and other unexpected economic policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The economic challenges have made it tough for the people to keep up with the rising cost of living, which resulted in a nationwide #EndBadGvernance by some Nigerians.
Last week, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Organised Private Sector called for immediate reversal of the new fuel price regime that further exacerbated the economic hardship.
Private school owners said the economic hardship was forcing parents to withdraw their children when they could no longer afford the school fees.
They said they have to keep pleading and sometimes reach a possible pay-cut compromise to maintain the population of students in the school.
Speaking with our correspondent in an exclusive interview, NAPPS President, Dr Samira Jibir, noted that some sacrifices have to be made, saying the hardship was affecting everybody, including the school proprietors and teachers.
She said, “Everybody is affected by the economic hardship, you can’t force parents to continue having their children in a school they couldn’t afford. Sometimes, we are forced to reach a compromise to retain the children.
“Some schools had to stop transportation because of the fuel price hike. Others that can cope added extra charges to the fare. Again, that will be done with cooperation between the school management and parents.
“In any case, we cannot stop any parent from withdrawing his/her kids. We can only hope things get better.”
The Chairman of NAPPS, Federal Capital Territory chapter, Ruth Agboola, also shared the same concern, saying the hardship is not limited to parents alone.
According to Agboola, some schools are losing teachers to their competitors with a few academic staff tendering their resignation letters for petty trading.
She said, “It is affecting people everywhere. But in our schools, only a few parents have withdrawn to lesser paying schools, based on what they can afford.
Again, we have also witnessed situations where some teachers prefer to go into petty trading. I have seen one who said she would rather sell Akara than continue as a teacher because of the situation of things.”
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