Unity Schools Fees Hike: Minister, Perm Sec Disagree

National Parent and Teacher Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC) at the weekend kicked against increase in the fees of Unity schools.

The Nation report continues:

NAPTAFEGC, in a communiqué by its National President, Dr. Gabriel Nnaji, after its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, said the increase from ₦20,000 to ₦75,000 was untimely and insensitive by the government.

Nnaji told reporters that the fee was increased on June 1 by the government.

The communiqué reads: “That the increase of school fees from about ₦20,000 to about ₦75,000 in Unity colleges is most untimely and insensitive. An average Nigerian worker, whose minimum wage is ₦18,000, and who has one or two children in the Unity colleges, will be unable to keep his or her child or children in the Unity colleges.

“The increase is a negation of the policy or principle that established Unity colleges, which is to make basic and secondary education affordable and accessible to an average pupil.

“The association appeals to President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly to compel the Federal Ministry of Education to revert to the old bills as the education of children is a right, and not a privilege.

“The new fees, if not reversed, will force parents to withdraw their children from the Unity colleges.

“The association will continue to partner the ministry by complementing its efforts in the provision of basic facilities in the Unity colleges.

“The association appreciates the ministry in making the payment of insurance levy in the Unity colleges not compulsory, but optional.

“The association frowns at any attempt to commercialize or make the cost of training children in the Unity colleges beyond the rich of an average parent.

“Enough budgetary provision should be made and timely released to the Unity colleges to enable pupils to continue to compete favourably with those of other sound private schools.

“The issue of security in Unity colleges must be given attention and commitment.

“Pupils who have paid for books should always receive them in time and not when no longer needed.”

Ministry Cancels PTA Fees

Daily Trust reports that the Ministry of Education has cancelled development and Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) fees in federal government colleges.

A source at the ministry in Abuja said the minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, approved the cancellation following complaints by parents about an increase in school fees from ₦20, 000 to ₦75, 000.

According to the source, all development projects in schools would be done with the approval of the ministry while PTA fees must not exceed ₦5,000.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, yesterday at the launch national education quality assurance handbook for basic ad secondary education in Abuja told newsmen that there was a small increase in boarding fees to enable proper upkeep of boarding facilities and provide top quality meals.

She said the increase was as a result of the economic downturn in the country.