Parents Struggle with Soaring School Costs as New Academic Year Begins

edutvnigeria

08/09/25 • 109 ビュー • 0 シェア • に発表されました他の

As schools across Nigeria resume today, many parents are overwhelmed by the rising cost of education, with inflation and unemployment deepening the financial strain.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows inflation hit **21.88% in July 2025**, shrinking household incomes and making it increasingly difficult for families to cover tuition, books, uniforms, and other school-related expenses. With **over 17 million children already out of school**, experts warn the country risks a worsening education crisis.

Education advocate **Folashade Akinyemi** cautioned that Nigeria could be raising a generation with limited skills and opportunities.
“Education is supposed to be a ladder out of poverty, but when it becomes unaffordable, it pushes families deeper into the same poverty cycle,” she said.

In **Imo State**, where both public and private schools also resumed today, the government announced strict measures to ease the burden on parents. Teachers have been banned from demanding shovels, cutlasses, brooms, detergents, or unauthorised levies from students before examinations. The state also prohibited the printing and sale of textbooks in embedded workbook format. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Schools, **Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha**, said a dedicated helpline has been set up for parents to report violations.

For many families, however, the financial pressure remains relentless.

**Obiageli Okoro**, a single mother in Abuja, said she was forced to withdraw her children from a reputable private school after a 30% hike in fees last session.
“I had to choose between feeding my children and paying their school fees,” she said, adding that she has already begun arrangements to move them to a cheaper school.

Her story reflects the struggles of countless households. **Sunday Eze**, a father of four, admitted he often feels ashamed when unable to pay fees on time.
“Sometimes my children are sent home, and they cry because they don’t want to miss classes. I don’t know what to do this session,” he lamented.

Some parents have resorted to **crowdfunding on social media** to raise money, while others have sold personal belongings to keep their children in school. **Ezekiel Zamber**, a widower of three, told reporters he had to part with valuable possessions just to pay school fees and buy textbooks.

Stakeholders warn that unless urgent measures are taken, school enrolment and completion rates may decline further, especially among children from low-income households.

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