Parents are adopting various strategies to ensure their children can continue attending school despite the increase in school fees and transportation costs, according to findings by Daily Trust Saturday.
As many public and private schools begin a new academic session, parents are feeling the financial strain of sending their children back to school while also covering other essential expenses.
Some parents are changing the schools their children attend, while others are relocating to apartments closer to their children’s schools in an effort to reduce costs. In some cases, parents are reluctantly transferring their children to public schools, even though they believe private schools offer better education.
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This situation stems from the total removal of fuel subsidies announced by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, which has had a ripple effect on the cost of living.
For example, in Kano, a civil servant named Malam Bello Auwalu had to adjust the schooling arrangements for his children. He moved three of his four children to public schools due to the increased transportation costs, which amounted to N55,000 in 20 days for his four children. This was a significant increase from the N45,000 he used to spend on transportation alone.
A widow, Amina Musa, made arrangements to transfer her children to the nearest public school because she could no longer afford the expenses. The rising school fees, coupled with increased transportation costs, made private education unaffordable for many families.
In Yobe State, parents are also struggling to pay school fees, and some are changing their children’s schools to find more affordable options. The removal of fuel subsidies has put additional financial pressure on parents.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, some parents are considering relocating their families to areas with lower living costs, such as Keffi in Nasarawa State or Kaduna. The substantial increases in school fees and transportation costs have made it challenging for them to provide for their families.
Similar situations are unfolding in Taraba, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Oyo States, where parents are making difficult choices to ensure their children can continue their education despite the financial hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
Overall, the removal of fuel subsidies has had a profound impact on the affordability of education and transportation, forcing parents to make sacrifices and adjustments to secure their children’s access to schooling. Many are hoping for government intervention to provide more affordable and accessible education options.
