Private and Public schools in Ilorin, Kwara, on Monday resumed for the 2023/2024 academic Session, even as parents decried the hike in school fees.
A visit to some of the schools by a Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) saw students and parents thronging the schools to register for the new academic session.
As the students were seen eager to start studies and meet new friends, parents were struggling to pay the school fees, acquire needed texbooks, notebooks and school fees.
Some of the parents who spoke to NAN lamented the increase in the school and book fees of some private schools, while others wondered how to cope with transporting their children to school with the hike in transportation fare following the removal of fuel subsidy.
At Flora Schools in Tanke, a parent, Mr Abdulhakeem Oyawole, said his son’s school fees for Primary 4 was increased from N45,000 to N61,500 .
He said it was unfortunate that everything has increased in prices while his salary remains the same as a federal government worker.
He appealed to the federal government to consider increasing the minimum wage because there is nothing left to take home from the present salary due to the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
Another parent at Precious Pearls Primary and Secondary schools, Hajia Mariam Mohammed, said though the school fees was not increased, the transportation fare is now double the old amount. READ ALSO:
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She lamented that fees for the school bus was N5,000 before the end of last session, but it is now N10,000.
She appealed for a palliative measure from the government that will address transportation as that of food has been sorted out.
At Reputable International Nursery and Primary School, Kaure area, Mr Kumbi Ajayi said his son’s fees at KG 2 was increased from N16,500 to N19,500.
He also called for the government’s intervention to enable them give their children basic education. (NAN)